Obituary

Marty Sanders, 69 Marthame “Marty” Elliott Sanders, Jr., died on Saturday, December 13, 2008, surrounded by his family. He will be missed as he was loved.

Marty was born April 18, 1939, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Marthame and Florrie Sanders. He graduated from the Westminster Schools in 1957. He received his B.A. from Vanderbilt University, where he majored in Civil Engineering, was involved in Sigma Chi Fraternity and Army ROTC, and served on the Student Council as Emahtram Srednas.

He served in the Army from 1961-1963, at Forts Custer (MI) and Bliss (TX). He continued serving in the Army Reserve until 1970. He received an honorable discharge as a Captain.

He married Elizabeth “Betty” Morgan Sanders on July 22, 1967.

Marty worked for Marthame Sanders and Company General Contractors. He served as President of the company until 1990. The company expanded from being a major remodeling and interior firm to constructing a variety of commercial buildings, from condominiums in Hilton Head to office buildings for the Landmark Group in Atlanta.

Marty was a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and a volunteer with the United Way, the Outdoor Activities Center, and the Atlanta Project. He was a member of Kiwanis, an ordained deacon at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, President of the Atlanta Executives Association, and served as a Trustee of the Galloway School.

Marty had a second career as a stand-up comedian, teaching and performing in clubs in Chicago, New York, Atlanta, and throughout the Southeast. His signature deadpan delivery earned him the nickname “Wild Thing.”

Marty was a man of many hidden talents: painter, chef, ice skater, photographer, teacher, coach, musician, and Elvis impersonator. He loved to laugh and to make others laugh, especially when they weren’t supposed to. He was a bright, insatiable student his whole life, especially of history and trivia. He was a family man who never missed an evening meal at home. He never met a TV or scoop of ice cream he didn’t like. Marty made life fun.

Marty is survived by his wife, Betty; son and daughter-in-law, the Reverend Marthame and Elizabeth Sanders of Atlanta; daughter and son-in-law, Alecia and Benjamin Gray of Lawrence, KS; grandson, Ramsay Marthame Sanders of Atlanta; sister and brother-in-law, Sylvia and Blaine Kelley of Atlanta; sister and brother-in-law, Angelyn and Dr. Neal Chandler of Atlanta; mother-in-law, Jean Morgan of Atlanta; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. Alec and Donna Morgan of Boston, MA; and innumerable beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends.

A service of witness to the resurrection will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta on Saturday, December 20, 2008, at 2:00 pm, the Reverend Chris Moore-Keish and the Rev. Dr. Charles Black officiating. An ice cream social reception will follow. The family will receive visitors at 1:00 pm at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Community Ministry of First Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are being made by R T Patterson (770.923.2940).