Marc Steven Sanders
August 10, 1968 - March 23, 2009
Obituary
Marc Steven Sanders
Marc was born August 10, 1968, in Seattle, WA. He passed on March 23, 2009, in Lynnwood, WA, at the age of 40. Marc loved his boys, especially rough housing with them and building Legos. He enjoyed snow skiing, bicycling, kayaking, and driving his Porsche. He was a member of the PCA Porsche Club, and very much enjoyed the R-Gruppe. Marc is survived by his sons Tom 8, Michael 6 and Jack 3; parents Steve and Joyce; brother Todd Nicole; nephew Evan and niece Elia. Graveside services to be held on Saturday, April 4th at 11 am, at Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd. SeaTac, WA, 206-242-1787. Following the service there will be a celebration of Marc’s life at 1627 Sunset Avenue SW, Seattle, WA. In lieu of flowers, a donation to his son’s college fund may be made at the Boeing Employees Credit Union, ‘Sanders College Fund in Memory of Marc Sanders’, 1-800-233-2328.
I lived across the street from Marc in the early 80’s. I’ll never forget the day I moved in, looked out my window and saw Marc in his garage playing “guitar” with a broom. I knew at that moment what a great guy he was. I regret losing touch after high school and will cherish the day spent with Marc and his family in La Conner after the 20th reunion. So glad I had that time to re-connect. You’ll be missed.
In an effort to work through the grief, I began writing a letter to Marc. The letter turned into a poem to him. I shared this poem at his service and pretty much summarizes everything I could possibly say.
The Day God Called you Home – written for Marc by Julie
If tears could build a stairway and memories were a lane,
I would walk right up to heaven to bring you home again.
No farewell words were spoken, no time to say good-bye.
You were gone before we knew it, and only God knows why.
My heart still aches in sadness and secret tears still flow.
What it meant to lose you, no one will even know.
He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.
His Garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain.
And knew that you would never get well on this earth again.
He saw your path was difficult, he closed your tired eyes,
He whispered to you “Peace be Thine” and gave you wings to fly.
When we think of you at peace, so calm and free of pain,
We would not wish you back to earth to suffer once again.
You’ve left us precious memories, your love will be our guide,
You live on through your children, you will always be by their side.
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you on the day God called you home.
I remember Marc as a nice boy and a warm and friendly young man. We had some great family times together when the Sanders family lived in California. He was loved by all of us and Dick often talked about Marc and wished him well. I like to think that they are together now watching over all of us and especially guarding Marc’s boys as they grow up.
very sorry to hear about marc
i was green with envy the last time i saw him at boeing- he had lost about a hundred pounds and looked like a college student
anyway i enjoyed being around marc on the jsf at d3, and also on the 777, and for a short time on the 747
unfair that his life got stopped short, but i suppose the great mon dieu has other plans for marc, and so my best wishes to him where ever he is, and to his family that must carry on without him
best wishes and my condolences to all of you
john wells
I worked next to mark for 2 years just before the birth of his first son, – he made the working day more enjoyable and often alot of fun – we shared an interest in european cars I’m Britishand he introduced me to the American V8 !! & in turn a remember educating him on his approaching need for teletuby videos !! I remember always being impressed with his ability to complete work so quickly and was very greatful for his help in finding work during the time after 9/11. I aways enjoyed crossing paths with Mark and catching up – he will be very missed.
My thoughts prayers and very best wishes to his family & friends at this time.
Matt Wilson
Regrettably, I had only one opportunity to meet Marc and that was at the XXX in Issaquah.
This one meeting showed to me the type of person that he was. He greeted me, a stranger, with a big smile and a bigger handshake. Throw in some humor, intelligence, some witty sarcasm and he made my day.
My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
I will truely miss my nephew Marc, his big heart, his kid like behavior, his leaning on my head and making fun of his short aunt. My heart goes out to my brother and Joyce, Julie and the boys. Marc will live on in those three wonderful boys.God bless you marc.
Mark and his family lived in our neighborhood. Though my friendship was with Julie, because Mark was working. However, there is one day that stands out. Julie was out in the cul de sac with the 3 boys and it was the end of the day. Mark drove up from work and went straight to Julie and Jack. Jack lit up with a smile to see his Dad and Marc was able to make him laugh instantly. It was a sweet memory of a Dad and Son.
Our prayers to Julie, an incredible mom and to Marc’s family.
Steve and Joyce,
I have fond memories of Marc as a kid, cutting his blonde locks on “tippy toes” because he sat so tall. Cherish all those memories that bring smiles to your face and heart. God be with you and your family.
I have so many childhood memories growing up with marc. He was like a second big brother. My thoughts and prayers go out to Joyce and Steve, Todd and Nicole and Marc’s boys and everyone he touched.
The little blonde kid who grew up to be a handsome blond guy and, oh, so tall. What fond memories of Marc and his brother and my two children growing up through the years. Always that teasing sense of humor and yet a loving, gentle nature and, not to forget that cute smile.
Our love and thoughts go out to Joyce and Steve; Todd and Nicole and their children; Marc’s sons, Tom, Michael and Jack; Julie and other family and friends whose lives were touched by knowing Marc. You will be greatly missed but your memory will remain in our hearts.
Mark, Julie and the boys were our neighbors. Marc was the first person we told we were having our second child, and he was so happy for us. I miss talking about which Star Wars movies were the best and how we’d bring our kids up on IV, V and VI only and we’ll always think of Marc whenever we hear a U2 song. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Very sorry to lose such a great person. My deepest sympathies to Marc’s family and friends.
I loved Marc and always felt loved by him. He was kind, gentle, funny and I was so proud to have him as my “big cousin.” He will be missed by all of his family and I hope that together we will help each other remember the goodness in him and nurture joy for his children with our happier memories.
He was my cousin and my friend. We didn’t talk everyday, sometimes for months or years. But when we did get the chance to catch up, we always picked up right where we left off. The world has lost a really good guy… my deepest condolences to Marc’s family.
fellow pelicanite R.I.P.
I worked with Joyce in the eighties. She invited me to her house many times. Marc was humorous and loving.
May you be comforted with the many caring thoughts of others. My love and prayers are with your family.
Condolences from a fellow Porsche enthusiast. He will be missed!
I new Marc from working with him five years ago and found him to be a big man with a big heart. Always fun to be around and really a nice guy. My condolences go out to Marc’s family and friends.
I shared an online Porsche community with Marc “Drago” Sanders for a few years and always enjoyed his posts. The Porsche family is a close one, Marc will be missed.
It’s with mixed emotions I write this message. The outpouring of love and friendship is overwhelming. I only wish my brother could have seen through his struggles to realize what he has lost. My heart goes out to my parents, his boys, Julie, and the rest of our family and friends.
Gone are the days of you sitting on my chest dangling a loogie over my head to torment me. Gone are the days of you continuing the tickle tortures with our boys. I will do my best to fill your large shoes, although I never wanted to be the tallest in our family.
Thank you for leading the way through life and allowing me the opportunity to learn from your successes and from your mistakes. I wouldn’t be who I am today without your influence.
I miss you brother. I hope to see your dream through and have your ’69 grace the roads again; for you, for me, and for your boys…
Your brother,
Todd
Marc was a great guy. A pleasure to know and a pleasure to work with. A gentleman of grace who could get along with everyone.
I met Marc at Boeing in 2000, our oldest boys share the same birthday. We were instant friends. We spent many days watching over and playing with our boys. Thankyou Marc for the friendship and the memories that put a smile on my face.
It is so hard to find the right words to soften the loss of our beautiful Marc. Leslie and I have loved him from his infancy and we send our deepest sympathy to Steve and Joyce, Todd, Julie, and the boys, as well as to the many other family members and friends who are struggling right now to understand how this could happen. A favorite quote of ours from Theodore Geisel Dr. Suess is “Don’t cry because it is over–smile because it happened.”
Leslie and Ralph Allen
My heartfelt condolences to the entire family and friends that will remember Marc for the man he is. We will miss him, but his boys will carry him with them forever.
My condolences to the family on Marc’s passing. The last few days my memories of the good times have been flooding back to me and are the way i want to remember him. In time the past few months of his struggles will fade away and we will be left with the happiness he gave us. My prayers are with you all.
Ted Marlow
Rest in peace, big guy! Godspeed!
My sincerest condolences… although I did not know Marc very well, he was a member of our family and will be missed…..
I only knew him via the Pelican BBS, but counted him as a friend. Condolences to his family, and God speed. – ns
Dear All;
I did not know Marc in person, but he was a brother from the 911 community. He will be missed. We all join you in celebrating Marc’s life. May peace and God’s blessings be with you and his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you.
Mike Moline – MRM on the Pelican Parts BBS
My deepest condolences go out to Marc’s family. It is truly heartbreaking to lose such a nice guy and good friend. I will cherish the many fond memories I have driving with Marc and the rest of our Porsche community. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten. R.I.P. big guy!
Marc: I knew you thur the local Seattle Pelican Porsche community. I appreciated your humor and mature attitude about life. We’ll all miss you man…..RIP
Bob Seelye
Pelican name: Lake Cle Elum
I knew Marc thru work at Boeing. He was an energetic person, with a passion for doing what was right. His humor and intellect was always appreciated. He loved his boys very much, though I had not had much contact with him in the last 4 years or so, so I was not aware of his third son. He was a loving Dad, from what I could see, he loved them very much. It goes with out saying that he will be missed.
Such a sad ending to a nice guy. I’m just another friend of his from the Pelican Board Kurt V
A very sad day when I heard, Marc was a good person that will be sorely missed by his friends and family.
Mark was not only a customer, but a real friend. His incredible humor, demeanor, and friendship will be sorely missed by anyone who knew him.
Like many others, I met Marc at Boeing, around 2001-2002. He and I used to talk about mountain bikes, I was building a “dream bike” at the time. Our paths crossed at work several times through the years, I was always happy to see him and share stories about work and biking and just catch up. My sincere condolences to his family and especially to his sons. Keep him alive through your memories of him and honor him by growing up to be good and honorable men. God bless and keep you Marc.
Marc was an amazing young man. He will be missed…our deepest condolences and prayers be with his family…God Bless
I will always remember Marc as my big teddy bear cousin with the shy and mischievous smile. I have only happy memories of Marc, which I am truly grateful for, and will miss how he used to laugh like a little boy when tickled. I pray that the happy memories will lift the darkness of the last couple of years and that the beauty and innocence of his three boys will be a lasting legacy and a reminder of the gentle, loving Marc that I knew.
Deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Marc Saunders, from another Pelican.
My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Marc. He will always be remembered as “Drago” to his friends from WWU.
Todd
WWU ’91
I only had the opportunity to meet Marc once at a Porsche breakfast, but knew him best through the sharing of his knowledge, whit, insights on the Porsche community bulletin boards. Marc will certainly be missed.