Before you read this obituary, fill a glass with your favorite beverage, find a cozy spot, and think of something that makes you laugh. This story isn’t just about saying goodbye – it’s about celebrating a life lived. We hope you’ll smile as we tell you about a funny man who lived in the Turlock community for 86 years and did his part to make the world a better place. Jerald “Jerry” Wayne Sanders died peacefully at home on Monday, August 12, surrounded by his wife of 47 years, Carolyn.
If you’re a 1957 Turlock Bulldog graduate, a local farmer who enjoyed playing cards at the Farmer’s Den, or one of his golf buddies at TGCC, then you know Jerry was a character. With a funny story, a wild prank, or one of his signature sayings, Jerry had a way of making life interesting.
Jerry’s story began during the Great Depression. The Sanders family had lived in the United States for over 100 years and began emigrating to California after losing the family farm in Grinnell, Iowa. Jerry’s parents, Inez Mae and Lyman Andrew Sanders, moved to Ceres in 1934 and purchased a small farm where they raised their family. The 30-acre farm cost $8,000 and they didn’t know how they would ever pay it off; the ranch remains in the family to this day. Jerry, their fifth child, was born in Modesto on November 16, 1937. Jerry loved his older siblings, James (Marian), Catherine Rogers (Don), Alan (Marlene), and Clifford (Arlene). We are thankful that Uncle Clifford was able to say goodbye to his little brother and urge him to join his siblings in heaven.
As a child, Jerry was known for his beautiful, curly black hair – so much so that people often mistook him for a girl! Although he was small, Jerry never let his size stop him from participating in sports or working hard. Jerry fondly remembered swimming in the canal, playing the trombone at Keyes Elementary School, and watching his brother Jim fly over the family ranch from his chair on the roof of the barn.
One of the best times in Jerry’s life was at Turlock High School, where he played football for the Bulldogs, both offensive and defensive. Jerry made friends in high school that would last a lifetime. After high school, Jerry attended Modesto Junior College, graduating in 1959, and then joined the first class of Stanislaus State University when classes were still held at the fairgrounds.
In search of a career, Jerry began slaughtering cattle for local ranchers on the family farm in Ceres and eventually opened the Sanders Meat and Slaughter Plant in Turlock in 1970.
Jerry married Margaret Ritchey in 1965 and they had two children, Ellen Way (Mike) and Spencer Sanders (Stacey).
Jerry met Carolyn Nutcher at the Sanders family bicentennial celebration where Carolyn and her children were guests. The couple married in 1976 and Jerry joined Carolyn on her dairy farm in Denair. The couple eventually purchased a new dairy on the west side and Jerry made many new friends there. Jerry enjoyed life with Carolyn’s children: Mike Nutcher (Darcy), Rick Nutcher (Debbie) and Sandy McDonald (TJ). The couple has nine grandchildren: Trevor Nutcher (Erin), Katie Van Vliet (Dustin), Kayla Scully (Tim), Casey Pearson (Drew), Courtney Lira (Fernie), Robyn Hilton (Tyler), Clayton McDonald (Blayke), Julia Way and Elizabeth Way. The family was blessed with 18 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews.
Jerry spent his life doing business and helping others. He loved transforming neglected land into productive farms. His hard work and dedication have left a lasting legacy that is now cherished by his grateful children. Jerry was a longtime member of the Ceres Lions Club and served as president in 1972. He also loved youth sports and umpired high school football, basketball and baseball games for 20 years. One of Jerry’s great loves was the game of golf; he encouraged Carolyn to take up the game and they played together in many tournaments. Jerry never planned to retire, but illness forced him to settle down in 2018 at the age of 80. Carolyn lovingly cared for Jerry until his death and he was grateful for her patience and kindness.
We could fill pages with funny stories from Jerry’s life and we hope his friends and family find comfort in their personal memories. If you were one of his many friends, please know that he loved and cherished each of you. In Jerry’s memory, we encourage you to do something kind for someone in need or donate to your favorite charity.
Our family is grateful to the wonderful medical staff at Memorial Hospital, Seva Hospice and Legacy Home Health for their excellent care.
Join us in celebrating Jerry’s life on Thursday, August 29th at 2:00 p.m. at the Turlock Funeral Home. A reception will follow at the Denair Community Center. The family welcomes all whose life Jerry touched.
