Jerry Wayne Sanderson

MESA – Jerry Wayne Sanderson, 72. It was Sunday, December 9, 2018, a Holy Day of Advent—the day of PEACE. That is when and how he passed, very peacefully both physically and spiritually. In his teenage years, Jerry loved to ride horses which was the probable impetus to study veterinary medicine after a stint in the Navy, specializing in electronics. As an adolescent, Jerry‘s natural adeptness with electronics was manifested in a hand-built crystal radio set with a coat hanger as an antenna. Although he never married, as a young man he was considerably popular with female and male friends alike. His lightning-fast reflexes made him almost unstoppable as a ping pong player. An avid music lover, especially beautiful acoustic guitar, Jerry would often record and replay his favorite songs on his 1970’s vintage Sony reel-toreel stereo tape recorder. A keen intellect and an insatiable curiosity toward invention, Jerry was always mentally tinkering with ideas such as an electric car with brakes used to recharge the batteries many years before it became commonplace. In his youth, to describe Jerry as brilliant would be an understatement. His ever-inquisitive mind even attempted to conceptualize the theoretically impossible—a “perpetual motion” machine that he drew on paper which appeared to be plausible. The eldest of five children and son of Dr. Willis and Ruth Sanderson, Jerry was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on February 16, 1946. In the prime of life, he unfortunately suffered from an incurable condition that interfered with realizing his dreams and full potential. With support from his family and medical professionals, Jerry was able to manage the many challenges of disability in life. Jerry was well-loved by those who helped care for him, particularly his brother Bruce. Jerry is survived by his mother Ruth, brothers Bruce and Larry, and sisters Nancy and Jamie. He used his nearphotographic memory to memorize and recite his dedicated studies of scriptural material. Whenever asked how he was doing, Jerry would invariably and happily proclaim the refrain of an old favorite hymn, “It is Well With My Soul.” Keeping vigil beside his deathbed, younger brother Bruce recounts asking how Jerry felt. “With an infectious smile, Jerry softly sighed, ‘I am content.’” As is the symbol of the Holy Day of Advent on which you passed, may PEACE be with you always, Jerry.