Ray “Sarge” Thomas Sanders was born on October 26, 1933, in Holt, Alabama, to William and Lucille Sanders. He passed away peacefully at his home in Mountain Mesa on January 19, 2026.
Ray was a hardworking family man with a big laugh and a deep love for the outdoors. When he was young, his family moved from Alabama to Pollock Pines, California, where he grew up alongside his sister, Jeanetta, and brothers, Jim and Lee.
After attending El Dorado High School, Ray enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 19 on May 27, 1953. He served with the 7th Armored Division, 21st Infantry during the Korean War. In recognition of his service, he earned the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
Following his military service, Ray worked as a heavy equipment operator for the Bigelow Logging Company in El Dorado County. Through friends in Placerville, he met the love of his life, Connie Schacht. They dated for three years and were married on November 24, 1967, in Reno, Nevada. While logging in the Greenhorn and Piute Mountains, they made their home in Onyx, California, after the birth of their daughter, Daphne, in 1969.
Ray truly lived life to the fullest, enjoying the mountains, camping, fishing, and time shared with friends and family. He later retired from Cal-City Concrete and Rock Company. Ray was a member of the Eagles and the First Baptist Church in Lake Isabella, where he enjoyed helping maintain the church grounds. His proudest moments were spent visiting and making memories with his grandchildren.
Ray is survived by his brother, Lee Sanders; his wife, Connie Sanders; his sons, Orion Sanders and Tony Sanders; his daughter, Daphne Garcia; Cheryl Williams; and his grandchildren, Kari McClure, Shadoe Sanders, Colton Sanders, Sierra Garcia, Sonny Garcia, and Sophia Garcia.
