Raymond G. "Ray" Sanders, age 83, of Sikeston, MO, passed away, December 21, 2023, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, MO.

He was born January 16, 1940, to the late Robert and Lucille O'Leary in St. Louis, MO.

On March 26th, 1961 he was married to the late Darlene Elenor Frease Sanders, she preceded him in death August 9, 2015.

Ray was a United States Army Veteran and a professional truck driver for UPS, retiring after 36 years. He was of Catholic Faith, and a member of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Sikeston, MO.

He was a co-founder of the Sikeston AAU Wrestling Club and coached Sikeston Little League Baseball & Football. He was an outdoor enthusiast, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles, and photography. Ray was a former member of the Missouri Patriot Guard Riders, riding his Harley across the United States. Ray most of all loved spending time with his friends, family, and all of his grandchildren.

He is survived by three sons, Doug (Janet) Sanders of Jackson, MO, Dennis Raymond Joseph (Teresa) Sanders of Independence, KY, and Robert Wilson (Kathy) Sanders of Marble Hill, MO; one daughter, Rebecca Sanders of Jackson, MO; eight grandchildren, Heather Dodd, Krista Taylor, Taylor Rendleman, Brianne Ennis, Tyler Sanders, Ryan Sanders, Jace Sanders, and Asher Sanders; nine great-grandchildren, Alexis Boyles, Khloe Dodd, Kolton Dodd, Mason Taylor, Ella Taylor, Lennon Rendleman, Lettie Rendleman, Beck Rendleman, and Claire Ennis; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Robert "Bob" Sanders, and one grandchild, Robert M. Sanders.

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 28, from 10:00 a.m. until noon at Ponder Funeral Home.

Interment services will be at 2:00 p.m. at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield, Missouri with full military honors.