John Anthony Sanders

John Anthony Sanders, affectionately known as Tony, 67 of South Bend, IN passed away on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 in his home. He was born on November 12, 1953 in South Bend to the late Joseph Anderson Sanders and the late Henrietta Z. (Gulley) Sanders.

Tony was raised in a Christian home and attended Laymen Chapel Church under the leadership of the late Reverend B.W. Kirk.  

Tony grew up on “The Lake” of South Bend and completed grades K-8 at Benjamin Harrison School and grades 9-12 at Washington High School. At Washington he was a scholar and track star; he graduated in 1972.  Tony received a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Economics & Statistics from Indiana State University in 1976. Tony went on to enlist in the U.S. Army and received an Honorable Discharge in 1986 as a high ranking official. He served his Country proudly and was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and a Driver’s Badge; He was an expert M-16 Marksman and a member of the USAR Control Group.    

Tony was the former owner of Sanco Distributing, Inc., located on Olive Street. He was an outgoing person who was fun to be around. He enjoyed playing cards, especially bid whist. He loved music and loved to dance. His favorite musical artist was Usher and his favorite Usher song was Yeah. When that song came on Tony would get up and dance.  He also enjoyed spending time with his family.

Tony leaves to cherish his memory, a son and daughter in law, Christopher and Heather Byrd; a granddaughter, Sonya-Marie Byrd, all of Orlando, FL; two sisters, Brenda J. Sanders-Smith of South Bend and Judith A. Williams of Niles, MI; four aunts, Rozelia Hill of South Bend;  Susie Chandler of Fort Washington, MD, Deloris Walker of Washington, DC and Linda Franklin of Temple Hills, MD; a special sister-friend, Pauletta Paskell of Van Nuys, CA, along with a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws, other relatives and friends.

Along with his parents Tony was also preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph Allen “Little Joe,” Sanders, and Ronald A. “Ronnie” Sanders;” two  sisters, Cordelia A. “Cordy” McNamee and Constance M. “Connie” Sanders; maternal grandparents, Letha A. Franklin and Jacob Franklin; and paternal grandparents, Emma  and Arthur Sanders.

Tony will be remembered for his fun spirit and warm smile.

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