John “Jack” Bates Sanders

John “Jack” Bates Sanders passed away peacefully on October 8, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family and cared for by compassionate caregivers.

Jack was born in 1943, to Owen Bates Sanders and Claire M. (O’Neill) Sanders. Raised in a Navy family alongside his three brothers, Jack spent his childhood in several communities before the family settled in Havertown, Pennsylvania, in 1956. Throughout his life, Jack embodied the values of faith, service, perseverance, and devotion to family.

He built a long and accomplished professional life in sales, marketing, management, consulting, and real estate. Over the course of his career, he held leadership and consulting roles with a number of companies and earned recognition for his strong work ethic, professionalism, and ability to mentor others. As a realtor, Jack was inducted into the RE/MAX Hall of Fame.

Jack honorably served his country in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969, attaining the rank of Specialist Four [E-4 (P)]. While stationed in Berlin, he was entrusted with sensitive communications responsibilities. He was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal (AOM), and the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM).

A proud enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Jack remained deeply committed to service throughout his life. He embraced the Cherokee principle of gadugi, a spirit of working together for the common good. He was honored as a Cherokee Elder for his commitment to preserving Cherokee customs and heritage, and was active in Native American outreach and cultural programs.

His commitment to helping people extended far beyond his professional work. He taught employment skills to incarcerated individuals, helped former inmates find jobs, mentored veterans facing addiction and legal challenges, volunteered in refugee resettlement efforts, and served in interfaith outreach among Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities. He also gave his time to Scouting, youth sports and youth ministry, as well as nonprofit housing and renovation initiatives. He was an appointed member of the Delaware Hispanic Commission and served at one point as the Housing Subcommittee Chairman.

Above all, Jack cherished his family and found great joy in dear friends, his faith communities, as well as his tennis and hiking companions.

Jack will be remembered for his generous heart, strong faith, tireless advocacy for others, and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. He brought compassion, conviction, and energy to everything he did, and his life touched many through service, friendship, mentorship, and love.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Paul Sanders, and his nephew Luke Sanders.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth Callahan Sanders, of Hockessin, Delaware, and his four sons, each of whom he considered a blessing beyond measure: John “Jay” B. Sanders, Jr. (Stephanie), of Perkasie, Pennsylvania; Joshua D. Sanders (Kelly), of Maplewood, New Jersey; Matthew C. Sanders (Jules), of New York, New York; and Adam C. Sanders, of New York, New York. His three grandchildren, Grayson Q. Sanders, Wylie R. Sanders, and Zoe K. Sanders were each a source of immense joy and pride to him.

Jack’s family also includes his brothers, William J. Sanders (Patricia), of Culpeper, Virginia, and T. Scott Sanders, of West Chester, Pennsylvania; his sister-in-law Donna Sanders, wife of his late brother Paul, of Aventura, Florida; his niece, Kimberly A. Sanders (Daniel H. Bergan), of Aventura, Florida; and his nephew, Brad J. Sanders (Brigid), of Vienna, Virginia. In addition, Jack will be remembered fondly by his extended Callahan family.