Durwood Eldon Sanders' Obituary
Durwood Eldon Sanders was taken by the Lord at his home at Lake Cherokee, Longview, Texas, on April 3, 2023. He was born to Eldon and Eula Sanders in Quanah, Texas, on December 17, 1927.
He is survived by his wife Jacqueline Sanders; his three children, Vickie Ann Swindle and husband David of Ft. Worth, Texas; Don Eldon Sanders and wife, Janita, of Amarillo, Texas; David Lance Sanders and wife, Cam, of Longview, Texas; six grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren. Durwood developed a keen interest in music, taking piano lessons at the age of five. At the age of twelve, he was informed that after high school he would be offered a scholarship in music at the University of Texas, but decided on dentistry instead. After graduation from Quanah High School, he attended Abilene Christian College followed by Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas Texas. Graduating from Baylor in September 1948, he passed the State Dental Board in November, 1948, a month shy of his twenty-first birthday, making him the youngest dental student to graduate from the four year dental program.
While in dental school, Durwood, while playing tennis, met Jacqueline Vick, culminating in a marriage on February 10, 1949, that lasted seventy-four years. Soon after the couple moved to Crowell, Texas, where he practiced for three years. In 1952, Durwood was stationed at Ft, Sill, Oklahoma, practicing dentistry as a Captain in the army until 1954. Later that year they moved to Lubbock, Texas. It was here he opened a dental practice and served as a faithful and devoted elder of the Broadway Church of Christ, a church built by his grandfather, Liff Sanders, in 1891.
After moving to Longview, Texas, in 1979, he and Jacqueline became members of the Alpine Church of Christ.
Durwood enjoyed life to the fullest, committing himself to the Lord and family. He was very fond of animals, a "zookeeper," providing a home for everything from a monkey, to cats, dogs and a parrot. He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing trips, and later found a penchant for writing that ranged from stories of pets, family, and politics.
The family will honor Durwood Sander's life with a private ceremony.
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