Obituary of Michael Dean Sanders

Sk. Michael Dean Sanders, Beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend, 79 of Simi Valley, California passed away to his heavenly repose on June 22nd 2017 at Simi Valley Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at St Rose of Lima Church on June 30th at 9:30 am with Reverend Fr. Joseph Shea of St. Rose of Lima officiating. Burial will follow at Assumption Cemetery, 1380 Fitzgerald Rd. Simi Valley Ca. 93065. Prior to the funeral, a visitation will be held on Thursday, June 29th from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Rose Family Funeral Home, 4444 Cochran St. Simi Valley, Ca. with a vigil service at 7:00 pm. A Bethany (Reception) will also be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 1255 Patricia Av. Simi Valley, Ca. 93065 immediately after the burial.

Born on October, 6 1937 at the University of Iowa to Herbert Clark, and Faye Jeanette (Winter) Sanders, Dean, at the age of one, moved to Venice, California with his family where he spent his youth attending the local public schools and developing his life-long love of the beach and ocean. After graduating from Venice High School, he joined the California National Guard where he rose to the rank of Sergeant. He met his beloved wife of 50 years Joy, at a social gathering at Griffith Park in Los Angeles. Soon after marriage, Dean and Joy moved to Simi Valley where they made a home, and raised their four sons Todd, Michael, Chris, and Garrett. Dean and Joy became members of St. Rose of Lima Church in early 1964 where Dean eventually served as a Eucharistic Minister for over 40 years. He was also a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus and a member of several other organizations at the parish. He held a special place in his heart for the Right to Life Ministry. Dean was employed in the grocery industry for the first 33 years of his career and also later served in the automotive industry for 28 years as an exhaust components salesperson where he made many lifelong friends and acquaintances. Among Dean’s hobbies, he enjoyed Cars, having owned dozens in his lifetime. He also was fond of music, especially 50s and 60s doo wop and easy listening. He and Joy also liked to dance and at many parties and weddings they were the last ones off the dance floor. Dean also had a great affinity for the outdoors and he was especially enamored of Lake Tahoe where he enjoyed vacationing with his extended family for well over 30 years. Finally, Dean enjoyed going to local sporting events in support of his grandchildren and sons. He attended numerous games for nearly 50 years as he watched his sons and grandchildren in youth sports and especially attended Todd, Michael and Chris’s adult softball league games which he did religiously for the past 30 years.

Dean is survived by his Sons: Todd, Michael, and Chris, Daughter’s-in-law: Lesley, Janet, and Audrey, Grandchildren: Hannah, Christian, Amanda, Johnny, Jacob, Kyle, Jackson, Nash and Ericka, Great-granddaughter Riley, Aunts: Phyllis and Louise, Brother Jerry, and Sisters-in-Law Genie, and Carol, Brother-in-law, Barry and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by this loving wife of 50 years, Joy, his son Garrett, his parents, aunts and uncles, and his grandparents.

To Dad, We will miss your kindness, selflessness, your dry wit and your huge smile. Till we meet again, We Love You!

In Lieu of flowers please consider donating to the National Right to Life Committee.