Mr. Claude L. Sanks, Sr., 92, of Richmond Hill, GA, passed away at Memorial Health University Medical Center on Tuesday, January 11, 2022.

He was born in Perdido, AL to the late George S. and Mattie C. Sanks.  He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Diane Sanks Ayres, as well as his siblings.  He and his wife attended both Radiant Life and Southside Assembly of God churches.  He retired from Hunter Army Airfield in 1985.  He was a Jack-of-all-trades and could fix anything.  He enjoyed going on picnics and water skiing with his family.  He will be remembered for being a loving, loyal, and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Survivors include the love of his life, his wife of 72 years, Betty C. Sanks; children, Debbie Sanks Zahrt (husband Frank, deceased), Claude L. "Bobby" Sanks, Jr., Cathy Sanks Conaway (Glen), and Timothy L. Sanks; grandchildren, Kristen Grach (Jeshua), Michael Ayres (Raquel), Abbie Margelofsky (Kyle), Matthew Ayres, Marcus Zahrt, Amanda Zahrt Burgess (Brian), Dusty Zahrt (Hannah), Dr. Claude L. "Audie" Sanks, III (Debbie), Andy Sanks (Alisha), Katie Sanks, Zach Conaway (Ashley), Wesley Conaway (Ashton), Colby Conaway, and Silas Conaway; son-in-law, Mike Ayres 27 great-grandchildren, a number of nieces and nephews, and caregivers, who are like family, Lorilyn Lenzen, Christine Olival and Aleshia Smith.

The visitation will be on Monday, January 17, 2022 from 1 until 2 p.m. at the funeral home.  The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home with burial to follow at Hillcrest Abbey West Cemetery.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Homes – WEST CHATHAM CHAPEL – 901 W. Hwy. 80, Pooler, GA (912) 748-2444