Gayle Sanders

Biography Gayle Sanders was born January 11, 1935 to Ada Lee and Gilbert Red Sanders. He lost his feisty mom when he was 2 years old. He was raised by his dad and his maternal grandmother whom he called mummy. His dad remarried and soon Gayle got 2 sisters, Joetta and Gail Dee. Mummy ran a tight ship and expected a lot of him. Gayle was in a saddle, riding a horse before he could even walk. Horses were large part of his life. As most kids did in those days, he worked hard on the ranch as well as attending school. Mummy said that when he was going to his first day of school, he was upset and told the cowboys on the ranch that Mummy is making me go to school and I cant even read or write. At the age of 18, Gayle met and married Wanda Jean Spinks. They had 3 children, Rhonda, Gail Norene, Richard and a baby girl that passed at birth. Gayle was a champion team roper. He roped in the National Finals 6 years. Some of his partners during that time were: Gordon Wilkerson, Jim Hudson, Buddy McEuen, Donny Nichols, Lewis Elbrock, Jerry Hopper, and Glenn Edwards. After 24 years of marriage, Wanda passed away in 1980. Gayle then married Marion Price. She brought with her 3 great daughters; Tina, Sheryl and Buffy. They had 29 happy years together. Gayle passed away on June 1, 2010 in Tucson. Gayle was preceded in death by his wife Wanda, a baby daughter and his daughter Norene Mortensen. He is survived by his wife Marion, Daughter Rhonda (Guy) Clouse, Son Richard (Diane ) Sanders and son-in-law Mike Mortensen. Extended family, Tina (Curtis) Dorf, Sheryl (Mike) Kelley and Barbara (Jason) Nichols. He is also survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Funeral Services were conducted Saturday, June 5 at the Duncan LDS Stake Center.