Aloha Oe . . . for Now

My Uncle Dexter passed away last week at the age of 78. His cancer diagnosis came just a handful of days prior, and before we knew it, he was gone.

His was a wonderful life. Uncle Dexter was that one uncle who pinched my ears and the scruff of my neck (we've all got one, right?) but who also gave great hugs. We never had reason to doubt he loved or cared for us. At Christmas time, we looked forward to the annual package of Omaha Steaks. I also cannot recall a single birthday, including the two I spent as a missionary in Peru, that he and Aunt Marilyn did not send me a birthday card.

The last time I visited him and Aunt Marilyn out in Fairfield, California, he fed us a hearty breakfast and proudly took Ben and me around to several members of his ward to introduce them to "m'nephews."

We love you and miss you. Aloha . . . for now.

Below is his obituary, shared on Facebook by his oldest son, my cousin Jamie.

Obituary William Dexter Sanders

JAMIE SANDERS·THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2015

William D. Sanders, better known to us all as Dexter, was born in La Verkin, Utah on Aug. 8, 1937, to Cecil William Sanders and Norma Stout. He was the fourth child, preceded by older siblings, La Ree Radmall Boyd and Carolyn Kleinman; he was followed by Judy Bower and Stephen Paul. Dexter graduated from Hurricane High School in 1955 and worked on the family turkey farm in La Verkin until he was called to serve a mission in Hawaii, from 1957 through 1959. When he returned from his mission, he attended Utah State University in Logan, Utah where he met his eternal companion, Marilyn Plowman. They were married in the Logan, Utah temple on July 27, 1960. In their 55 years of marriage, they had five children, Shellie Jensen, husband, Denny Jensen, Jamie P. Sanders, wife, Julie Topol, Scott William Sanders, wife, Claudia Berlangieri, Jared Dexter Sanders, wife Cindy Winkler and daughter, Sherrie Linn Sanders; they also enjoy, 19 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. In college he signed up for the R.O.T.C. program and after graduation he entered the United States Air Force as an officer and served our country for 22 years and retired as a Major. He was a navigator on the Air Force’s C-5 and a Base Operations Officer when he was on the ground. Many people may have also made his acquaintance in one of his other “spare time jobs”. After his retirement, he started a second career working for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as a mechanical custodian. In addition to his family, church service and career, he was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America with too many titles to list and was a recipient of the Silver Beaver award. Dexter became known as “Mr. Scouter” by all those who knew him because of his great love for the scouting program. He realized how this program could bless and influence the lives of boys and adults alike. His top priority was ensuring that all young men had the support needed to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, which had the potential to positively influence the rest of their lives. He has been an example, mentor, leader and father figure to more people than we can list. Dexter has legacy of never turning down any opportunity to provide service and will be loved and missed by all. A viewing will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2700 Camrose Ave., Fairfield, California. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, 1215, also at the LDS Church. Interment will follow at 1 p.m. at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, California. All scouters in attendance can honor his memory by wearing their scouting uniform. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to: Mt. Diablo Silverado Council, Boy Scouts of America, 800 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-4703 include in the memo: In memory of W. Dexter Sanders. Arrangements under the care of Fairfield Funeral Home, 1750 Pennsylvania Ave., Fairfield. 707-425-1041.