James Sanderson

James Everett Sanderson was born on May 31st, 1946 in Unity, Maine. He went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on July 11th, 2019 after a brief, yet valiant battle with Leukemia. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Clarissa Sanderson, his brother Archie Sanderson, his brother David who died as an infant, his wife's parents Edwin and Avalon Erkkila, brother-in-law Jon Ptaszek and sister-in-law Judy Tarvis. Jim married Nancy Erkkila in December of 1965. He is survived by his wife Nancy, daughter Julie Sanderson, son Scott Sanderson, daughter-in-law Rachel Sanderson and his grandchildren Matthew and Ryan. He is also survived by his sister Ruth Ayer and brother-in-law Jack, sisters-in-law Kathy Ptaszek and Bonnie Hartman, bother-in-law Hadley Hartman, many cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as many dear friends. Jim placed a high value on spending time with his family and grandchildren. He always had time to be involved day to day, he found great joy in travelling with family and grandchildren and was always focused on loving, leading, and helping his family. Jim graduated from Unity Freedom High School and was a member of the track, baseball, and basketball teams. He attended Abilene Christian College, Suomi College, Western Michigan University, and Valparaiso, before graduating from Notre Dame Law School in 1980. Jim practiced corporate law at Varnum Riddering before opening a private law practice in 1984. He often reflected how fortunate he was to have just a few large family companies for clients during the entirety of his legal career as a sole practitioner. His legal career is best known and respected for his merger and acquisition work in the soft drink industry. Jim loved the business world. In addition to his legal career in business and success researching and investing in the stock market, he was also involved in small business partnerships and helped build a company that has grown into an ongoing family business. In the 1970s and 1980s, he owned two Sunoco stations and helped build Persons Auto Repair. His early partnerships include a Chicken Chalet restaurant, Key Travel Agency, and Westwind II Resort in the Bahamas. He was proud that his friendships with his early business partners remain strong today. For the past 15 years, Jim proudly worked side by side with Scott at Allen Edwin Homes. Jim valued the management team and employees, and often spoke highly of them and their commitment to the company's high standards of honor. When Jim retired from practicing law, he focused on becoming an accomplished sailor. He sailed his boat, Nighthawk, throughout the Great Lakes, the St Lawrence Seaway, and down the East Coast to The Bahamas. He took pride and enjoyed the challenge of sailing single handedly, but his sailing adventures included countless journeys with close friends. Sailing was truly a part of who he was, and he was both passionate and skilled. He often reflected "I may not sail every day, but I am a sailor every day." Golfing was a second love. He was a founding member of Egypt Valley Country Club, and longtime member of it's predecessor Green Ridge Country Club. Jim enjoyed his golf friendships as much as the game and never missed an opportunity to combine both. His golf travels with friends were vast and included at least 10 golfing trips to Ireland. Many people will recognize his deep friendships, business and legal accomplishments and endless adventures. But privately, one of his proudest missions was supporting and anonymously providing financial help for children to attend summer camp. As a young boy, a woman in his small town provided the financial support and encouragement for Jim to go to Bible camp. Dorothy's gift and personal encouragement created part of the foundation that Jim built his life and values upon. As an adult, he paid it forward by supporting Center Lake Bible Camp with financial camperships which have made it possible for thousands of children to attend camp. These children are known as Dorothy's Kids. Jim was much loved and respected by family, friends, partners, and employees. He will be missed greatly. A celebration of life reception will be held at Egypt Valley Country Club on Friday, July 19th from 4:00pm-7:00pm. Jim wanted this be a casual affair with family, friends, stories and smiles. At 5:30pm a few people will reflect on Jim's life and Pastor Jeff Jones will lead in prayer. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to a cancer charity most meaningful to you.