Col. James Howard Sanders

U.S. Army Colonel Retired , James Howard Sanders, age 87, of Village View Drive, Gainesville, GA, died Monday, January 22,2007 at Willow Brook Court at Lanier Village in Gainesville following an extended illness.

Born October 27, 1919 in Ambrose,GA, he was the son of the late James Fred and Lillie Harper Sanders. A former resident of Dahlonega, Mr. Sanders had lived in Gainesville for the past 6 years. Mr. Sanders graduated from North Georgia College in 1937 and from the University of Georgia in 1939.

Prior to retiring from the U.S. Army in 1969, Mr. Sanders served in England, North Africa and Italy during World War II, served as Battalion Commander during the Korea Conflict, served on the staff of Land Southeast NATO in Turkey, served as an Advisor to the Minister of Defense in Saudi Arabia, served on the staff of Headquarters, U.S. Army Europe in West Germany, and served as Deputy Commander of Nord Bagern Support District, West Germany.

Mr. Sanders was the recipient of the Legion of Merit Medal. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, served as Chairman of Housing Authority of Lumpkin County, Chairman of the Appeals Board of Lumpkin County, member of Past President of the Dahlonega Lions Club and was a member of the Bank of Dahlonega Board of Directors. Mr. Sanders was most recently employed as Director of Plant Operations at North Georgia College and State University and was a member of the Dahlonega Baptist Church.

Survivors include: his wife of 65 years, Mrs. Elizabeth Sanders, of Gainesville; daugther, Caroline S. Unruth, of Providence,RI; son & daughter-in-law, James H. Sanders, Jr. and wife Vickie, of Austell; grandchildren, Michael and Stephanie Sanders, Lesley Unruh, Sarah Unruh, Amy and Jason Patrick and S. Joseph Sanders; great grandchildren, Jordan Sanders and Avery Patrick; brother & sister in law, Thurman B. and Rachel Sanders, of Gainesville; several nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 26,2007, at the Dahlonega Baptist Church, with the remains placed in state at the church at 1:00 p.m.; the Rev. Robert D. Green and Rev. William D. Hutcheson will officiate with interment to follow in Dahlonega Memorial Park, with full Military Honors.

The family will receive friends at Dahlonega Baptist Church on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until the funeral hour.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Dahlonega Baptist Church, Building Fund, 234 Hawkins Street, Dahlonega, GA 30533 or to the Odyssey Hospice, 575 Research Dr., Suite A., Athens, GA 30605.

McKinney Funeral Home of Dahlonega is in charge of arrangements.