John Mervyn Sanders, M.D.
1937 ‚ 2014
Our persistent patriarch, John Mervyn Sanders, moved on to the next stage of his existence on February 13, 2014, following his experience with multiple forms of cancer. Jack, as he was known from an early age, was born on February 4, 1937, the oldest child of Mervyn Sharp Sanders and Cora Maurine Oldroyd. He grew up on Military Drive in Salt Lake City, playing in the gulley and skiing the unplowed streets. He attended local schools, including East High and the University of Utah, graduating with honors. He married the love of his life, Margaret Gayle Thompson, on July 20, 1962, and together they established a family that will endure forever.
Jack's life was greatly impacted by the six seasons he spent working for Alma Kunz as a fishing guide on the Teton River in Idaho. This led to a love affair with the Teton Valley that never ended. In 1957 he was called to serve as a missionary in Samoa, a call which he accepted and which also had a tremendous influence on his life. He truly loved President Sampson and everything about Samoa and the friends he met there. He followed his father into the medical profession, attending medical school at the University of Utah and interning at LDS Hospital. He then served medically for two years in the U.S. Army in Ft. Lewis, WA, where he surely came to love and appreciate his country. He completed his residency in neurosurgery at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ. Those six busy years were wonderful and were filled with Third Ward friends, volleyball games, and Saturday "day with Dad" outings. He returned with Margaret and the "Five Js" to Salt Lake City in 1974 and established his private practice, doing it his way right to the end.
Jack loved beautiful music of every kind, and he enjoyed singing, playing, composing and listening to others perform. Along with his musical wife, he took great care to instill this love of music in each of his children. He loved to ski the Alta powder, gracing the slopes there for nearly seventy years, and he also passed this passion on to his family. His love of fly-fishing never diminished and remained a constant source of joy for him. Even in the winter months he was dreaming about the big ones that would soon be moving up the river. He was enthusiastic about everything that he did, especially when assisting others. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he had the opportunity to serve in many capacities, including temple worker, Mongolian missionary, and Bishop. However, he would be most properly remembered as a humble, dedicated Home Teacher, always looking to be obedient in doing the simple work of the Master.
Jack was not afraid to fail, and was therefore very successful in many areas, but no worldly accomplishment ever exceeded the importance of what he did at home. "Grandpa Bee," as he came to be affectionately known, enjoyed an incredible marriage and raised a wonderful family, and has now returned to be with his loving heavenly parents and other family members. He is survived by his wife Margaret, their five children, John (Laura), Jennifer (Lincoln), Jill (Terry), Julie (Bob), and Jason, seventeen grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and siblings Gill, Camille, and Marc. His parents and sister Lynne preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Tuesday, February 18, 2014, in the Monument Park Stake Center, 1320 S. Wasatch Drive, SLC, UT. There will be a viewing on Monday, February 17, 2014, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary (2350 E. 1300 S.), and another at the church from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday prior to the services. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery. We acknowledge and thank all of the medical and transitional care people who have assisted us for their kind and compassionate service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jack's name to Friends of the Teton River at www.tetonwater.org.
