Edward Sanders

Edward Raymond Sanders better known as Ray, entered eternal rest the morning of September 17, 2013 at his residence in Safford, AZ. Ray was born April 3, 1943 in Bisbee, AZ. He grew up working on the family farm, on Frontier Road near Bisbee, AZ and also on the Sanders Ranch in Turkey Creek in the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona. He attended school in Bisbee and graduated from Bisbee High School in 1961. Ray was MP with the Arizona National Guard in Bisbee from 1966 until his honorable discharge in 1972. He worked for Phelps Dodge mining for over 30 years retiring in 2001. He received an award from the Arizona State Mine Inspector for working 301,417 man hours without a lost time accident. He worked in the Bisbee, Safford, and Dos Cabezas underground mines and also in the Crush and Convey division at Morenci, AZ. He was very active in the Grace Lutheran Church of Safford serving several years as Church Council President. Ray happily married Linda Rutherford in June of 1973 in Tucson, AZ. They raised two children together in the Safford area, and he also enjoyed the company of his two grandchildren. Ray enjoyed having a garden every year, hunting and fishing with his family, visiting the ranch in Turkey Creek, and was especially proud of being a Hard Rock Miner from Bisbee. Ray is survived by his wife of 40 years, Linda Sanders, daughter Kerri (Les) Hendricks, son Wade Sanders, grandchildren Hannah and Haydyn Hendricks, sister Joanne Lemon, and several brother and sister in laws, nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Edward and Ruby Sanders, brother John Bill Sanders, sister Evelyn Nelson, brother Russell Sanders and brother-in-law Keith Lemon. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church in Safford with interment in the Safford Cemetery.