Charles Elias Sanderson's Obituary
Charles Elias Sanderson passed away early in the morning of May 7 at his home in Midvale, Utah, after a long and painful battle with cancer. He loved preparing camping trips for the family every summer and this tradition expanded over decades to include several generations of children and grandchildren. Unfortunately, this year, cancer took him from his wife, siblings, son, daughters, grand, and great grandchildren.
Born in the small town of Cleveland, in Emery County, Utah, he has left an impact on all those who knew him. Charles always sought living with integrity and loved to share his knowledge with those he loved. On a hot night on the 24th of August in 1941, he was born with his father helping to deliver the robust 9 pound boy.
Life at home was always filled with chores like taking care of sheep, milking cows, and planting and harvesting a garden. After harvest, he would help in the kitchen bottling the food that would sustain the large family through the cold winters. Charles’ mother said he could ride a horse before he could walk. He always rode the school bus to school and filled that time reading Louis L’Amour novels from the library. He loved to talk about Saturday night baths in the big tub and eating fresh bread right out of the oven.
Charles graduated from North Emery High School. After high school he served a mission from 1959 to 1962 for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Scottish Irish Mission. After arriving home, he worked on the remodel of the Salt Lake temple. There he met Elaine Kirk of Midvale and sister to his brother Val’s wife Wanda. They were married December 3, 1963 and Clinton Alan was born the next year. They lived in Salt Lake City for a time, then moved to Henderson, Nevada. One year later the family moved back to Utah in West Jordan where Jannette was born. Subsequently, relocating to Sandy, Utah for a short time, they finally settled in the Sugar House area of Salt Lake City, where Nadine, Julie and Deanna were born.
Charles was an embodiment of generosity towards all, but especially the youth. He never tired of finding opportunities to learn and then teach new skills to the youth and his family. He loved Scouting, and from his early treks with his son Clinton, he continued his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America organization throughout the years. Eventually, he earned the Silver Beaver award, and served at seven Wood Badge leadership trainings including three as the head Scout Master.
He loved to introduce his family to new experiences and learned how to sail just so he could teach his grandkids. He trained with and taught them hiking, bicycling, and shooting skills. He worked with them to plan a long bicycle trip across several states and then rode with them to the end.
Charles worked construction for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while he attended night school at the University of Utah and worked towards a degree in Electrical Engineering. He eventually quit school, one class short of having an Associates degree because he didn’t want a desk job. He was a fix-it man. He loved working with the tools. Charles was never afraid of hard work and spent retirement working as hard as he did before laying down his heavy toolbox.
Charles started working on elevators and escalators, for the Church eventually becoming head of the Elevator Department, and remained with them for 17 years until 1985. The family moved to California, where he worked until retirement in Los Angeles. Finally, they left California, finding it difficult to leave many friends, and moved to Midvale, Utah to be close to Elaine’s mother.
Over the years, Charles has fulfilled many roles in the Church, as Sunday School teacher, Boy Scout leader including many positions in local Scouting units and at the district level in the Los Angeles County Council. He served on three High Councils, as Stake Executive Secretary, as Stake Young Men’s president, a Bishopric Counselor, and as Bishop. He served three missions, including two with Elaine, one in the Salt Lake City Temple, and the other a Family History Mission in El Paso, Texas for Family Search. His favorite callings were always with the boys, but his dream job was to be Primary President because of his love for children.
He is survived by his wife Elaine, his sisters, Viola, and Lila, his brothers Ira and Kimball, his son Clinton, and daughters, Jannette, Nadine, Julie, and Deanna, 10 grandchildren, and 9 ½ great grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his brothers Henry and Val.
A viewing will be held on Friday, May 15 from 6pm until 8 pm at the LDS Ward meeting house at 8171 South, Jackson Street, Midvale, Utah. A second viewing will be on Saturday May 16 from 10:30am to 11:15am at the same location. Following the viewing, a funeral service will begin at 11:30 am.
Internment will be at the Midvale City Cemetery.
A light luncheon will be served after internment at the LDS Ward meeting house at 8171 South, Jackson Street, Midvale, Utah.
The family wished to express the gratitude to all the Doctors, Nurses, Nurse practitioners, and therapists who always cheerfully and professionally served to make his life more comfortable. We also wish to express our gratitude to wonderful friends and members of the Midvale 5th Ward for their kind love and support.
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