Master Gunnery Sergeant James Carroll Sanders

Retired Master Gunnery Sergeant James Carroll Sanders, a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, passed away Dec 26th, 2023. The son of James Cecil Sanders and Sadie Mae Stillwell Sanders, Carroll grew up in Dewitt, Arkansas. He was born March 30th, 1950. Carroll married the love of his life, Linda Faye Watkins on July 12, 1968.

At the age of 19, Carroll enlisted in the Marines. He valued this service highly and loved The Marine Corps. He attained the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. Carroll served in the Marines from March 1, 1970 to October 31. 1994. Carroll served in Viet Nam and Volunteered for Duty in Operation Desert Storm. Carroll served at many Duty Stations including:

Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina X3

Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland

Naval Air Station Lemoore, California

Okinawa Naval Base, Japan

Marine Corps Base – Kaneohe, Hawaii

Cherry Point, North Carolina

US Army Fort Drum, New York

Naval Support Activity Mi- South, Millington, Tennessee

Carroll had the honor of being flown several times around the country to work on “Air Force One”.

While in the Marines he also achieved his high school GED, as well as a college degree and went on to teach JROTC – Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps at Eudora High School.

James Carroll Sanders is survived by one brother, Graylon Dawaine Sanders and his wife Darlene of DeWitt, Arkansas; one son, Air Force Retired Technical Sergeant James Carroll Sanders Jr. and his wife Fawnita Sanders of Albuquerque, New Mexico; six grandchildren Naval Chief Petty Officer Nathaniel James Sanders and his wife Allison of Naval Air Station San Diego, California, Tyler Sanders of Little Rock, Arkansas, Drew Sanders of Carlisle, Arkansas,Tessa Sanders of DeValls Bluff, Arkansas, Crystal Powell of Dallas, Texas, Adam Valdez of New York, New York; four great-grandchildren – Luca, Giancarlo, Lliana, and (one due in Jan) unnamed Sanders, all of San Diego CA; and a host of children who consider him to be their “Great Uncle Carroll or Paw Paw Carroll” - no blood, but they are his!

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife - Linda Sanders, a son – David Sanders, a grandson – Christopher Sanders, two siblings – Ronney Sanders and Donna Whatley.

Funeral services wereDecember 30 at First Assembly of God in DeWitt with burial in Carlisle Cemetery by Essex Funeral Home. www.essexfuneralhome.com