Obituaries: Kenneth Sanderson (Nov. 23, 1924 – Feb. 27, 2011)

Kenneth Sanderson went home to be with the Lord on Feb. 27, 2011, in the company of his loving family. Kenny was born Nov. 23, 1924 in Orleans, Calif., and was raised on the family farm at Starwin on the Klamath River. He traveled by school boat down the river to attend the local school.

In 1937, Kenny attended the Sherman Institute in Riverside, Calif. He was active in boxing, wrestling and football. In 1941, he wrestled for the Olympic tryouts at the Oakland YMCA gym. Kenny joined the United States Marine Corp in 1941 at the age of 17. He served in Guam, Midway and Pearl Harbor. While he was in the service he boxed in the lightweight class against the Army and Navy in the Honolulu Bowl. In 1946 he was honorably discharged from the USMC.

After the service Kenny continued to box professionally in San Francisco, Portland and the local area. He went to work in the logging industry and from there he went to work for the Redwood National Parks. In Kenny’s spare time, he was a songwriter. Kenney was rarely seen around town without his faithful dog and companion, Kelly.

He is survived by his son Ken (Butch) Sanderson and daughters Betty Day, Judy Haynes, Patty Matthews, Sherry Andruss, Darlene Hiner and numerous relatives.

Kenny will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Eleanor Sanderson, daughter Gloria French, brothers Sandy and Dale Sanderson.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at the Klamath Tribal office community room on Saturday, March 5, 2011, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wier’s Mortuary Chapel of Crescent City.

— Submitted by Wier’s Mortuary Chapel