Lyle Gayle Sanderson

An interment ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, July 27 at the Summerville Cemetery followed by a lunch at the Island City City Hall. His family would like you to join them for either or both events.

Lyle Gayle Sanderson (Sandy)
Born: July 26, 1915 at Sanderson Springs, Oregon (near Summerville, Oregon)
Died: April 3, 2007
Parents: Sylvia A. Neiderer and David L. Sanderson

Lyle Gayle Sanderson (Sandy) did not know a stranger. He had a quick smile and greeting for everyone he met.

Parents, Sylvia and David Sanderson settled near Summerville and established the Sanderson Springs Farm. Sandy was born at home on the farm with the aid of his maternal grandmother. His father had traveled to Elgin on horseback to find Dr. Kirby, but did not make it back in time. Sandy was the younger of two children; Virgil his brother born in 1905 preceded Sandy in death at the age of 73.

Sandy's great grandparents Sanderson were early pioneers having come from Scotland through Canada and Montana to settle in the Grand Round Valley about 1890. His mother Sylvia was of Swiss decent, her parents settling in the valley prior to 1860.

Sandy jokingly said he was a Scotch watch with a Swiss movement. Sandy completed his elementary grades at Dry Creek School a one-room school near Sanderson Springs and went on to graduate from Imbler high School. As a high school student he excelled in track and baseball. He graduated from Eastern Oregon College of Education (now EOU) in 1936 and continued to support his Alma Mater by serving as V.P. of the alumni association and later became a benefactor of scholarships for deserving students.

Sandy started his career in a service station in La Grande and rose through the Union Oil of California Corporation to the Executive Training Supervisor for five states in the Northwest Region. His position allowed him to travel the west coast and live in Oregon and Washington. Sandy retired in 1977 after 41 years with Union Oil. He and his wife Verona built their dream home, "The Bar None Ranch" (where everyone was welcome), in the Methow Valley, Washington following his retirement.
Sandy was a member of Free & Accepted Masons, Yorkrites Shriners, B.P.O.E. Elks, F.O.E. Eagles, Toastmasters, Spokane Chamber of Commerce and various other organizations and clubs. He loved new cars, fishing, bowling and golf and in his younger years he maintained a sailboat and was a member of the St. Helens, Oregon Yacht Club.

The early retirement years of Sandy's life were enjoyably spent at the "Bar None Ranch" and the Bear Creek Golf Club in the Methow Valley. He enjoyed poetry and had a keen memory of old poems, songs and especially his favorites, Longfellow and Shakespeare, being able to recite easily. He was a walking history book and shared his love of life's experiences with family and friends.
Sandy was married to Verona for 30 years. She preceded him in death in 1988. His second wife of one year, Peggy preceded him in death in 1990.
Sandy was reunited with Elma Sherwood, his companion of 16 years, at a Dry Creek School reunion. As children they walked to school together and spent many times at shared family events. They enjoyed their later years together on many cruises and traveling to Europe, Canada, Caribbean, South America, Mexico, and the United States. They made their home in La Grande in the summer months and Mesa, Arizona in the winter months.
Sandy often replied when asked how he was doing, "a day at a time". Sandy spent his later days with great dignity, "a day at a time". He was loved by many, and will be remembered for his smile, dignity and intellect.
Sandy was an organ donor wanting his "deathbed" to be "a bed of life". His age would not allow that. He wanted only his faults, weaknesses and prejudices against his fellow man buried. He wanted his soul given to God and he requested that if you wish to remember him to do so with a kind deed or word to someone who needs it. He felt that he could live forever with those kind acts.
Sandy passed away after an extended illness at a local care center. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his memory and name to the Shriners Children's Hospital in Portland, Oregon or a charity of your choice in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley.
Sandy is survived by other relatives and friends.

Sandy requested that the following poem be a part of his obituary.


Like the Waves
William Shakespeare 1564-1616

Like as the waves make toward the pebbled shore,
So do our minutes hasten to their end;
Each changing place with that which goes before,
In sequent toil all forwards do contend.
Nativity, once in the main of light,
Crawls to maturity where with being crown'd,
Crooked eclipses ‘gainst his glory fight,
And time that gave doth now his gift confound.

Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth
And delves the parallels in beauty's brow,
Feeds on the rarities of natures truth,
And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow:
And yet to times in hope that my verse shall stand,
Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand.