Peter Sanders

Peter Clark (Pete) Sanders of Hickory, NC, formerly of Cattaraugus, NY, Albany, NY and Burlington, NC, passed away on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. Pete attended college at Delhi Institute of Technology and Rochester Institute of Technology in New York State. Most of his career was in manufacturing management and he started his own lighting business in Hickory in June, 2004.

Born April 10, 1939, he was the son of John Oliver Sanders (Coopers Plains, NY) and Beth Baker Sanders (Andover, NY).

He was a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Hickory and was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard K. Sanders and sister Janice Davis. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Gail Strom Sanders of the home; son Jeffrey Peter Sanders (Denise) of Hickory, NC; daughters, Caryn Ray (Arthur) of Raleigh, NC; Kimberly Best (Dennis) of Durham, NC; Julie Reiner of Cornelius, NC; 6 grandchildren: Farran Michael, Brian Sanders, Sean Margison, John Ray, Chase Ferrer and Phoebe Best; great grandchildren: Landon Theist, Liara Michael, Elizabeth Margison, Colton Michael, Samuel Sanders, Emma Margison and Jaxton Michael. Pete’s sister, Ellen Collandra of Bradenton, FL.

Pete was always active in church in the many cities where the family resided due to job transfers. He served as a youth leader, Sunday School teacher, Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Billerica, MA, trustee and finance committee member.

Pete was involved in the volunteer fire department and police departments in Avon, New York. He enjoyed basketball, tennis and golf throughout his life. He was active in various men’s clubs and worked as a lighting consultant. He also served on the board of directors for several companies.

As a devoted husband and father of three daughters, Pete was always a champion of women in the workplace, sports and in whatever dreams and aspirations they held.

Pete loved the Lord and projected that in his love for his family and others. His sense of humor and playful spirit endeared Pete to all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The American Cancer Society at https://www.cancer.org/ , National MS Society at https://www.nationalmssociety.org/ , or to the St Luke's United Methodist Church at https://slumc.org/give .

A Celebration of Life will be 1:00 PM Saturday March 11, 2023 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church at 52 16th Ave NW, Hickory, NC 28601, followed by receiving and fellowship in the Family Life Center.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.caringcremations.net. The Sanders family has entrusted arrangements to Caring Cremations Life Celebrations and Funerals at 828-855-3350.