Erin Louis Sanders Jr.

February 15, 1940 – August 26, 2020

On Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, Erin Louis Sanders Jr., aka Sandy/Buddy, left earth to meet our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 5:30 a.m. at the Spokane VA Hospital Care Center.

Sandy was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Feb. 15, 1940. He was a husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather and an Air Force Veteran. His patriotic duty was served overseas in Europe as well as on three combat tours in Vietnam. He and his military partner, “Country,” were among the first and watched as American soldiers arrived.

He is loved and survived by his wife Jacqueline L. (Withers) Sanders; son Robert R. Van Halder. Jr (wife Linda), daughter Jeannie L. Sanders (husband Andy Drouhard), son Terry Sanders and daughter Jamie Sanders (Adam Duvanich) and two brothers Jimmy Sanders (wife Rosa), and Rusty Sanders (wife Debbie). Sandy is also survived by beloved nephew Clay Sanders (Tambra), and niece Heather Allen (Sanders); grandchildren Sarah Van Halder, P. Jason Ochoa, Melissa Ochoa Wikum, Alexandria McUne (Van Halder), Taylor Van Halder, Christian Hammer (Sanders), Jordyn Sanders and Liam Duvanich-Sanders; and great-grandchildren Triston Ochoa, McKenzie Wikum and Korra Hammer. Sandy is preceded in death by his parents Erin and Dorothy (Rimmer) Sanders and his brother Dick Sanders.

Sandy loved to fish, boat, golf, hunt, guide hunt and watch old westerns. Sandy will be interred at the VA National Cemetery in Medical Lake. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Spokane VA Care Center.