Danny Sanders

Daniel "Danny" Ford Sanders, 80, began his new life in Heaven on Monday, June 19, 2023. He was born on January 18, 1943, in Amory, MS, to the late Garland Ford Sanders and H.D. Hill Sanders.

Danny grew up in Amory, graduated with the class of 1961, and then continued his education first at ICC and finally at Memphis Technical School. He began his career in 1963 as a mechanical engineer, designing Holiday Inns for William Bond Architectural Firm in Memphis, TN. In the early 70s, he formed Diversified Investment Company where his company designed, built, and operated nursing homes across Mississippi and Tennessee. Danny also owned and operated Monroe Marine, as well as other businesses throughout the years. He was a wonderful provider for his family and took great pride in all his business ventures and the relationships he formed through them.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of Amory. He was blessed by God with a wife who was his soulmate, Jean Gilmore Sanders, and their two children and many grandchildren. Danny always put his family first and was such a loving father and husband. Civic-minded, Danny was involved in the community, serving as the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Amory Railroad Festival, and worked with the Stars Over Mississippi program and the Haskell Foundation with its various philanthropies. A good neighbor to all, Danny served on the Homeowners Association in his neighborhood and he was always striving to help those in need.

In his free time, he loved all things sports and anything that challenged him personally. He took hunting trips all over the United States, many of them with his family and close friends. He was a regular at Riverbirch Golf Course, playing often and also volunteering with course functions. Fishing was also a favorite pastime of his, especially the times he could enjoy it with Kris. Intelligent and courageous, he studied and obtained his private pilot's license. He flew for both business and personal enjoyment. Danny was also an avid Ole Miss fan and a lifetime member of the M Club. He appreciated different types of music and enjoyed attending bluegrass and southern rock festivals.

Danny lived a very full life, blessed with travels both on the ground and in the sky. His family and friends will miss him dearly, yet they know that he is now at peace and completely healed. Until we meet again, God knew your wings were ready.

Left behind to cherish the memories are his loving wife, Jean Gilmore Sanders, Amory; daughter, Jill Sanders Hellen (Tim), Memphis; son, Kris Sanders (Jennifer), Slayden, MS; grandchildren, Chloe Sanders (fiance Marc), Jake Hellen, Conner McLaughlin, and Caden McLaughlin (Bailey); brother, Eddie Sanders (Judy); brother-in-law, who he considered a brother, Freddy Gilmore (Brenda); nephews, David Gilmore (Jessie) and Scott Sanders (Pam); and niece, Jennifer Bakker (Jeff). He is preceded in death by his parents.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jake Hellen, Conner McLaughlin, Caden McLaughlin, and Marc Wood.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home in Amory, MS, with Dr. Allen Simpson officiating. Burial will be in Haughton Memorial Park, Amory, MS. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 11:30 a.m. until the service hour at the funeral home in Amory, MS.

Donations may be made in Danny's memory to the Haskell Foundation, Amory, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com.