Burl Sanderson

Funeral services for Burl Sanderson, 89, of Gainesville, are scheduled for 2:00 PM on Friday, April 28, 2017 at Bear Head Baptist Church with Rev. Jimmy Davis officiating. Interment will follow at High Point Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 PM on Friday prior to the service.

Mr. Sanderson passed away April 23, 2017 in Gainesville.

Burl was born July 22, 1927 in Electra to Oscar Moore and Lottie Leota (Jones) Sanderson. He grew up and attended school in New Castle. Mr. Sanderson went to work at the shipyards in Houston as a welder when he was 16 years old building ships for the war effort. Upon turning 18, he joined the Army Air Corps to serve in World War II. Mr. Sanderson initially joined to become a pilot but, when his superiors learned of his skills in welding and mechanical work, he was instead assigned to the Air Training Command where he trained others to work on the engines of the B-17.

In Nocona on July 19, 1962, Mr. Sanderson married Marion Baugh, to whom he was very devoted. A hardworking, reliable, and dutiful man, he was a ranch foreman for the Howard Olsen Ranch and L.E. Jones Flying J Ranch. As a great cowman, he was very clever and industrious. Mr. Sanderson was a man of faith and a loyal member of Bear Head Baptist Church. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoyed dancing.

Survivors include: daughter Melinda Butler of Gainesville; granddaughter Lori Painter and Robert Hair; granddaughter Jennie Butler; great-grandchildren: Meredith Larraga and husband Rafael, Sielar Hair, Katherine Parkhill, Alex Parkhill, Ryan Ramirez, and Sadie Anne Thornhill; and great-great-grandchildren: Jovanni, Sadie, Annaleigh, and Karley Grace Larraga.

Mr. Sanderson was preceded in death by: his parents; wife of 46 years, Marion Sanderson; twin brother Murl Sanderson; sisters: Opal, Oveana, and Inona; and son-in-law Larry Butler.

Serving as pallbearers are: Rafael Larraga, Michael Sanderson, Alex Parkhill, Donnie Miller, Eric Miller, Jesus Garcia, and Stuart Wooley. Grandson Ryan Ramirez will be singing.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cooke County Gideons International,