Ray Dean Sanders, 89 years old, died Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at home in Bethany, Oklahoma. He was born on October 27, 1934 in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma to parents Raymond Lewis Sanders and Ethel Lee (Jackson) Sanders. He lived in Pauls Valley until he was 7 years old and moved to Oklahoma City with his parents. He attended Westwood Grade School, Jackson Junior High and graduated from Capitol Hill High School in 1953.

He began working for Bell Iron Company and became an expert welder. He went on with his artistic talent and began creating works of art in metal. In 1961, he was asked by Professor Joseph Taylor, renowned artist and professor at Oklahoma University to work on a project for the DeGolyer collection at the library at Oklahoma University. Professor Taylor would draw the art and Ray would create/interpret the drawings in metal. This artwork still exists at the University library.

In 1956, Ray married Janet Mickle and they had two children, Cindy (1959)

and John (1962).

Ray earned his pilots license at age 16. He always had a love for airplanes and flying. He went on to earn his multiengine license and later his helicopter license.

In 1956, he joined the U.S. Army and served in Korea until 1958. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1962.

In 1961, he formed and opened H K & S Iron company with two partners. He sold his interest in H K & S and went into the construction business. He built homes and commercial buildings for over 40 years in the OKC area.

He was preceded in death by his son, John Lewis Sanders and his parents, Raymond and Ethel Lee Sanders.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Janet; daughter, Cindy Herhold and son-in-law, Mark Herhold of Colorado; grandsons, Anthony "Tony" John Herhold of Chicago, IL and Travis Sanders Herhold and wife Taylor Montgomery Herhold of Glencoe, OK.

Service will be December 5, 2023 at 1:00pm at Mercer-Adams Chapel with burial in Bethany Cemetery.