Sylvester (Syl) Sanders

Sylvester Sanders was born on March 16, 1931 in Benton, Illinois to parents Alonzo and Ora Sanders. His parents passed away when he was of school age and was raised by his Aunt and Uncle in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Doris and Syl have two children, Mark Sanders of Irving, Texas and Gayle Kohlmann-Webb of Fountain Hills, Arizona. There are 4 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Syl's family lived in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Overland Park, Kansas, Dallas, Texas, Racine, Wisconsin, and Plano, Texas.

Syl spent most of his working career with J.I. Case tractor company as a regional manager and North American Sales Director. He was highly involved in Case's introduction of the backhoe/loader, construction tractor, which became the most used piece of heavy equipment in the world during the 1960's to the present day. He took an early retirement from Case in his mid-50's. Syl bought and operated a liquor store in Dallas, TX for many years. He sold the store and retired in 2001.

Syl was actively involved in the Jaycee's and was president of the Mt. Vernon, IL chapter when Jaycee Lake was impounded during the mid-1960's. One of the highlights of his life was working for Case at the 1980 Lake Placid, Olympics where he witnessed the Miracle on Ice hockey match between the USA and Russia.

Syl was a dedicated father and a very strong, resilient person. In the final three years of his life, significant health problems reminded us how resilient of a person Syl was. He even survived the October 20, 2019 Dallas, Texas tornado which impacted the Skilled Nursing Facility he was in. The healthcare workers who took care of Syl were amazed at how he could recover from a series of sepsis episodes and cancer. He passed away peacefully from an untreatable cancer.

Syl was the sixth of 7 children in his family, all his siblings preceded him in death. Lawrence Sanders of West Frankfort, Illinois, Roy Sanders of Peoria, Illinois, Granville Sanders of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Dr. Walter Sanders of Mattoon, Illinois, Thelma Braden of Detroit, Michigan, Pauline Pearson of Berton, Illinois

The family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses and healthcare workers who took care of Syl over the last three years at Medical City Plano, The Legacy Skilled Nursing and Home Care, Crystal Creek Skilled Nursing, Kindred Hospital, Encompass Rehab and Locardia Home Care Services.

The funeral service will be held for the family on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at Allen Family Funeral Options. Syl will be laid to rest at the Dallas Ft Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, Texas.