Michael Mark Sanders, of Laramie, Wyo., died Tuesday, Oct. 20 at the UC Medical Center in Loveland, Colo. following a brief battle with lymphoma. He was 68. Michael was born Sep. 14, 1952 in Tulsa, Okla. to Carrol and Joan Sanders. He grew up with a love for God, the great outdoors, animals and family traditions. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts, achieving Eagle Scout during his high school years. Michael was a graduate of Tulsa Central High School in 1970 and Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas in 1974. During the mid to late 1970s, Michael taught math in Tulsa schools during the winter, and worked as a park ranger in Rocky Mountain National Park during summers and falls. During one of those Colorado summers, he met his great love, Gloria Holliday, and they were married Dec. 29, 1979. Michael was hired by the U.S. Forest Service in 1978, working on forests in Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee, Wyoming, Missouri and Arkansas once more. He retired in 2007 as the Supervisor of the Ozark National Forest in Russellville, Ark. Two daughters were born during Virginia years, Molly Marie and Ashley Elizabeth. When Michael retired from the Forest Service in 2007, he found time to work at several other jobs, he’d always wanted to do. He worked with Wyoming Tourism in Cheyenne, Wyo., the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colo., and substitute teaching in Mountain Grove, which he greatly enjoyed. Michael loved planting crops on his farm in Missouri, tending his orchards and cooking new recipes. He also enjoyed hiking, watching sports and being an active member in several churches around the country. Michael is survived by his wife, Gloria, of Laramie, Wyo.; daughter, Molly Sanders Howe, of Arlington, Va. and her husband, Gary; daughter, Ashley Sanders, of Laramie, Wyo.; sister, Kathryn Sanders Rusk, of Tulsa, Okla. and her husband, Mike; and sister Jennifer Sanders, of North Myrtle Beach, S.C. A private memorial service for immediate family members will be held at a later time. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” II Timothy 4:7-8
