Obituary for George Austin Sanders, Jr.
George Austin Sanders Jr.
George Austin Sanders Jr., 76, of Bristol, FL passed away May 29, 2018. He is survived by his wife of fifty (50) years, Twila Frill Sanders, and daughters Francine Fisher (Bill) of Bristol and Georgia Anne Hosford (Ken) of Hosford, FL. He was preceded in death by his father, George Austin Sanders Sr. and his son, Kenneth E. (Kent) Strickland Jr. George is also survived by his mother, Alma Woodard Sanders of Bristol; his brother, Earnest Sanders (Shirley) of Dalton, GA; his sisters Sharon Austin (John) of Blountstown and Carla Bruner (Jackie) of Hardaway; six grandchildren: Samantha Howze (Gary), Eric Peden, Will Hosford, Duncan Hosford, Mary Emma Hosford, and Kent Hosford; two great-grandchildren: Amber King and Michael King, and many nieces and nephews.
George was born on March 26, 1942 in Ocala, FL to George Austin Sanders Sr. and Alma Woodard Sanders. His family returned to the family home in Bristol shortly after George’s birth, where he spent most of his life, graduating from Liberty County High School in 1960. George attended Troy State University on a football scholarship, thereafter enlisting in the United States Air Force in Jacksonville, FL on February 15, 1965, serving until honorable discharge on March 11, 1968.
Due to the illness of his father, George immediately took over the family business, Sanders Systems and Services, serving as a licensed mechanical and electrical contractor. In truth, George never met a problem he couldn’t solve, as he was gifted with an incredible mechanical aptitude and a love for mathematics. He simply loved the challenge of the “unsolvable” problem. In Liberty County—and surrounding counties—he was fondly referred to as “Macgyver.” George was known for quietly helping people, often fixing or repairing things without a word, whenever and wherever he saw a need. Later, folks would figure out that George had been by.
While taking over the family business, George took on another challenge, marrying Twila, the love of his life, on March 27, 1968. They were blessed to celebrate fifty (50) wonderful years of marriage on March 27, 2018.
George will be fondly remembered and sorely missed by his many friends and buddies, particularly from the legendary “table of wisdom” at the Apalachee Restaurant.
George’s funeral will be at the Old Wesleyan Methodist Church in Hosford, FL on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 11:00 AM. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, June 1, at the church from 6-8 PM. One of George’s proudest accomplishments was the historic preservation and restoration of this 100 plus-year old building. The project won regional and state-wide awards for rural, historic preservation of the year and was characterized as one of the finest examples of period heart pine in the State of Florida. George served as the on-site overseer, coordinator, problem solver, and engineer, pouring his heart, mind, and soul into the old building that he grew to love so dearly.
Charles McClellan Funeral Home of Quincy, FL is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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George Austin Sanders Jr., 76, of Bristol, FL passed away May 29, 2018. He is survived by his wife of fifty (50) years, Twila Frill Sanders, and daughters Francine Fisher (Bill) of Bristol and Georgia Anne Hosford (Ken) of Hosford, FL. He was preceded in death by his father, George Austin Sanders Sr. and his son, Kenneth E. (Kent) Strickland Jr. George is also survived by his mother, Alma Woodard Sanders of Bristol; his brother, Earnest Sanders (Shirley) of Dalton, GA; his sisters Sharon Austin (John) of Blountstown and Carla Bruner (Jackie) of Hardaway; six grandchildren: Samantha Howze (Gary), Eric Peden, Will Hosford, Duncan Hosford, Mary Emma Hosford, and Kent Hosford; two great-grandchildren: Amber King and Michael King, and many nieces and nephews.
George was born on March 26, 1942 in Ocala, FL to George Austin Sanders Sr. and Alma Woodard Sanders. His family returned to the family home in Bristol shortly after George’s birth, where he spent most of his life, graduating from Liberty County High School in 1960. George attended Troy State University on a football scholarship, thereafter enlisting in the United States Air Force in Jacksonville, FL on February 15, 1965, serving until honorable discharge on March 11, 1968.
Due to the illness of his father, George immediately took over the family business, Sanders Systems and Services, serving as a licensed mechanical and electrical contractor. In truth, George never met a problem he couldn’t solve, as he was gifted with an incredible mechanical aptitude and a love for mathematics. He simply loved the challenge of the “unsolvable” problem. In Liberty County—and surrounding counties—he was fondly referred to as “Macgyver.” George was known for quietly helping people, often fixing or repairing things without a word, whenever and wherever he saw a need. Later, folks would figure out that George had been by.
While taking over the family business, George took on another challenge, marrying Twila, the love of his life, on March 27, 1968. They were blessed to celebrate fifty (50) wonderful years of marriage on March 27, 2018.
George will be fondly remembered and sorely missed by his many friends and buddies, particularly from the legendary “table of wisdom” at the Apalachee Restaurant.
George’s funeral will be at the Old Wesleyan Methodist Church in Hosford, FL on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 11:00 AM. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, June 1, at the church from 6-8 PM. One of George’s proudest accomplishments was the historic preservation and restoration of this 100 plus-year old building. The project won regional and state-wide awards for rural, historic preservation of the year and was characterized as one of the finest examples of period heart pine in the State of Florida. George served as the on-site overseer, coordinator, problem solver, and engineer, pouring his heart, mind, and soul into the old building that he grew to love so dearly.
Charles McClellan Funeral Home of Quincy, FL is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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