Richard Vern Sanders

Richard Vern Sanders, 73, of Taos and Lake Balboa, CA passed away unexpectedly on July 19, 2013. Rich was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, the sixth child of Robert and Bulah Sanders. At the age of three years, Rich moved with his family to Saint Louis, Missouri. There, he attended elementary and high school where he won a full athletic scholarship in basketball to Saint Louis University. He graduated from the Jesuit University in 1962. By then, he had met his future wife, Joanne Trice at the Saint Louis annual Black Debutante Ball. Rich was the escort for another young lady but kept an interested eye on Joanne. They eventually met, dated and married in July 1960s. Rich and Joanne recently celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary. Over the years, they became the parents of Lauren [deceased], Richard Jr. and Leah. He and Joanne also helped raise a dear nephew Corey Warlick, who lived with the family during his teenaged years. Corey was an inspiration to them all. Rich's illustrious career spread over several decades. In Saint Louis, he taught history at a Catholic school and later became the first lay principal of a parochial school in the Saint Louis Archdiocese. After a few years as principal, an ad in a newspaper piqued his interest. It was a position with the prestigious multinational company, Johnson & Johnson. Rich applied for the job without any sales experience and convinced the interviewer to hire him. He was then trained with the utmost corporate standards. Over the next eighteen years, J & J moved Rich and his family around the United States every two years. In his spare time he coached countless kids in the game of basketball, while sharing his life experience and hard work ethic with them. As he continued to gain invaluable skills his family did as well adapting to all the changes. It was a great ride. Re-location gave Rich opportunities to learn how to sell in various U.S. markets. As a result, he made continuous steps up the corporate ladder into positions with increasing responsibilities. After years of business travel throughout the U.S. including Alaska and Hawaii, Rich retired in 1997 after 31 years with the company, at the age of 56. He loved his job and never regretted a day of getting up and going to work. But, he never really stopped working. Before retirement, he was a community activist. After retirement, he fund raised for charities, taught basketball to home schooled children, and coached high school basketball. In 2006, Rich and Joanne moved to Taos, New Mexico. It was another enriching adventure, coming to a beautiful part of the country where Rich and Joanne's desire to embrace diversity and cultural histories thrived. Rich's gifts to the community were inevitable. He joined the Lions Club of Taos, becoming its President from 2011-2012, then, served on the Board of Directors of the Taos Music School. He worked tirelessly helping to bring the plans for a new Taos Justice Center to fruition. To Rich, this was also relaxation. He also loved to watch his beloved Saint Louis Cardinals, (he never forgave Albert Pujols for leaving his team.) He loved to listen to opera, classical music, as well as the blues. He loved the Beach Boys and Creedence Clearwater Revival too. After years of air travel, his favorite vacations were road trips seeing the good ole U.S.A.. Rich was preceded in death by his daughter Lauren, his sisters Robbie and Alice, and brother Herman. He leaves behind his wife Joanne, children Richard Jr., Leah and Corey, cherished grandsons William and Hudson, sister Willia, brothers George and Norman, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and a host of unforgettable friends. Rest in peace you so richly deserve, Rich. You are shining star of what life should be. Giving. You will be missed so very much by many but especially your family. We are blessed with so many great memories, with lots of fun too. You were one of a kind. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 10 AM at St. James Episcopal Church with a reception to follow.