James Munro Sanders

James “Jim” M. Sanders died peacefully on May 9th, 2026, at Alive Hospice Residence in Nashville, Tennessee. He was seventy-eight years old.

Jim was a miracle child, or at least statistically improbable. He was born three months premature in 1947. The California hospital where he was delivered had just received its first incubator. The doctors gave the infant James only one percent chance of survival. He defied the odds.

Jim was raised by his parents Billy and Barbara Sanders first in Independence, Kansas, and then Morris, Illinois. He graduated from Morris Community High School in 1966. Jim majored in Electrical Engineering Technology at Northern Illinois University, where he met his wife and mother of his children, Reva.

Jim was an eight-year Navy Veteran. He was top of his class during training in electronics and Ships Inertial Navigation Systems. He spent three years serving in navigation on the USS Saratoga (CV-60) aircraft carrier, primarily in the Mediterranean. He was also stationed in Jacksonville, Florida, and Norfolk, Virgina. Later, as a Petty Officer First Class, he taught Navigation at the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut. After three years of teaching, at the end of his tour of duty, he was made an Honorary Submariner.

Jim was a patient, loving, and attentive father to his children Daniel and Donna. The family attended Westminster Presbyterian Church in DeKalb, Illinois. Jim was a popular Sunday School teacher.

Jim was employed for 15 years as a Senior Technician for Ideal Industries in Sycamore, Illinois, and later for 17 years at Thomas & Betts in Southaven, Mississippi. He was known for his honesty and attention to detail, important qualities for ensuring the safety of the electrical products he tested.

Jim and Reva were married for twenty years. Following their divorce, Jim helped support his children and pay their way through college. He enjoyed several road trips with his son Daniel around the United States.

Jim was generous, helpful, and eager to assist with home repairs. In later years, he was a self-professed “hermit” who loved to research his interests in health, science, and spirituality. However, through his spiritual pursuits, he made many valued friends over the years.

After retirement, Jim moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and traveled abroad. Over the years, he visited Mexico, Egypt, Israel, India, Czechoslovakia, and Ireland. He felt he had lived a full life. When he was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer in early 2026, he faced death bravely. He spent his remaining days wrapping up his affairs, not wanting to trouble others.

Jim is survived by his sister Carol Hunt and her husband Jim; his brother Bill and his wife Pam; his former wife Reva Mitchell; his son Daniel and his wife Claire; his daughter Donna Andrews and her husband Mark; and his grandchildren Alexander, Eva, and Lyllian Andrews.