Jerry Sanderson

Jerry Lee Sanderson was called home on December 25, 2012. A proud Scotch-Irishman, Jerry was born in 1943, to Merlin and Donna (Riley) Sanderson, in Pontiac, Michigan. He claimed, "If you're lucky enough to be Irish, you're lucky enough!" Jerry graduated from Pontiac Central High School, and attended Central Michigan University. He retired in 2002 from the State of Michigan, a Captain for the Department of Corrections at Carson City. He was past Vice President of the Michigan Corrections Organization.

In 1981 Jerry relocated to Lansing from the Upper Peninsula when he married Cynthia. Soon afterward they moved to St. Johns, where they purchased a small horse farm. Jerry was a member of the Appaloosa Horse Club and the Michigan Appaloosa Horse Association. In 1985 he and Cindy founded Sanderson's Appaloosas and enjoyed showing horses during the 1990's. He was most proud of their accomplishment in earning championships with their horses. He spent many hours on his favorite appaloosa "Rocky" roaming the backwoods of Michigan with family and friends.

Jerry loved his family and was a good and loyal friend. Dubbed "oddly charming" by his wife, he could always be counted on to join the party, be generous to a fault, and delighted in the role of jokester. Cantankerous and loveable, Jerry was a very funny guy whose casual observations were often unexpected and hilarious. He enjoyed many Novembers with family deer hunters although they knew he loved deer camp more than hunting. He also enjoyed summers at the family lake property and family social times. There isn't anyone who liked a good grilled steak and fine bottle of wine better than Jerry Lee.

Jerry was an enigma in many ways. He was warm-hearted and funny, tough and abrupt. You had to love him to know him. He will be sadly missed after fighting a long battle against heart disease. His final toast to you might be: "May the Lord keep you in his hand and never close his fist too tight."

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia (Post) Sanderson and brother Craig Sanderson. Jerry was proud of son, Mark McCutcheon, daughter-in-law Kimberly, grandsons, Connor and Nolan, and granddaughters, Jolene and Brittney Shinabarger. He is also survived by sister-in-law Brenda Maneval and many nieces and nephews. We'll miss you Jerry.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 29, 2012 with Pastor Keith Whipple officiating at Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass St., St. Johns. The family will receive friends Friday from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday from 1-2 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army. The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.