Jack Sanders, Jr.

Jack Lewis “Jackie” Sanders, Jr.

Jack Lewis “Jackie” Sanders, Jr. was born on November 22, 1954. He grew up in Rincon, Georgia, where his mischievous antics were both the delight and occasional concern of his neighbors. With a mixture of great joy and trepidation, his parents, Tommie Sue and Jack, eventually waved goodbye to 18-year-old Jackie as he boarded a bus bound for boot camp in San Antonio, Texas - Jackie’s introduction to the United States Air Force.

Jackie went on to serve a distinguished 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force. Initially stationed on the West Coast, he thrived as a crew chief on the AWACS before becoming a flight engineer on the C-130. During his early years of service, he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Later, his service took him to Panama and the Middle East, including Oman and the United Arab Emirates. He served during Operation Just Cause and Desert Storm, earning commendation medals for his service. Yet, of all the honors and experiences during his military career, Jackie counted among his greatest treasures the lifelong friendships he made along the way.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, Jackie found even more opportunities to do what came naturally to him – to meet people and collect stories. He obtained his real estate license and became one of the rare landlords who occasionally seemed to forget that collecting rent was part of the job. The resulting outlandish renter stories became classics in the Sanders household. Jackie also loved home repair and often recruited his children and grandchildren to help, teaching them skills along the way and undoubtedly creating a few more stories in the process.

With a quick grin, Jackie could find a reason to laugh in almost any situation and firmly believed that a good belly laugh could cure nearly anything. He had a great sense of adventure and longed to return to some of the faraway places where he had served. Above all, Jackie was devoted to his family. He treasured time with his children and grandchildren, and they will carry on the many stories of their adventures together - including wild tube rides behind the family ski boat whenever Dad was behind the wheel.

Jackie is survived by his loving wife, Lucille; his father, Jack Sanders; his sister, Cynthia Cleghorn (Robert), and their son, Jonathan (McKenzie); and his brother, Shane Sanders. He is also survived by his beloved children, Jason Sanders, Jessica Quick (Josh), and Jayme Douglas (Justin), and their mother, Linda; and his grandchildren, Maddie and William Quick, George Sanders, and Chase and Mason Douglas. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Loring Miller and Robert Miller (Amanda), and granddaughter Ada; his mother-in-law, Margaret Miley; and his sister-in-law, Lavonda Miley (Mike Doyle).

Jackie loved life, his family, and his friends. He lived with a quick smile and laughter never far behind. He had a gift for turning ordinary moments into stories worth telling. His laughter, mischievous spirit, sense of adventure, and unmistakable grin will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

In Jackie’s memory, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to an organization supporting research into frontotemporal dementia such as the AFTD - The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, or to the Wounded Warrier Project.

Visitation: 1 – 1:30 pm Saturday, August 15, 2026 in the funeral home.

Funeral Service: 1:30 pm Saturday, August 15, 2026 in the funeral home chapel.

Interment: Rincon Cemetery

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel (912) 754-6421