Gary Don Sanderson, Sr., age 79, of Wellington, Texas, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026.
Funeral services took place at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at First Christian Church in Wellington, with Pastor Leah Fort, of Wellington Church of the Nazarene officiating, assisted by Pastor Kevin Harris, of Dodson Church of the Nazarene. Burial followed in Dozier Cemetery at Dozier, Texas. Viewing was held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at the funeral home, with family receiving friends from 4-6 p.m. Arrangements were by Robertson Funeral Directors of Shamrock.
Gary was born on March 5, 1947, in Shamrock, Texas, to the late Leon and Lena (Ackley) Sanderson. Raised in the Shamrock and Samnorwood areas, Gary grew up learning the values of community, hard work, and devotion to family. On Oct. 23, 1965, Gary married the love of his life, Jackie Tate, beginning a remarkable journey of partnership and love that spanned over six decades.
In 1969, Gary honorably served his country in the U.S. Army as a Specialist 4 while stationed in Germany, where he served as a cook. He was also a proud member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Charles Goodnight, Frontier Regiment.
In 1984, he founded Gary and Son Welding, quickly earning a reputation as one of the finest welders in the region. Gary was a true craftsman of iron—a man who spent a lifetime working with his hands, shaping metal into things built to last, and taking care of the community he loved.
Today, that proud legacy of craftsmanship lives on as his son and grandson continue his work in the trade he loved so deeply. Above all of his accomplishments, Gary’s greatest pride was always his family.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Lena Sanderson; his father- and mother-in-law, Otis and Stella Tate; his sister, Mary Elizabeth Ham; and his brother-in-law, Ron Ham.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Jackie; his son, Don Sanderson, and wife, Hattie; his sister, Jeannette Rainey, and husband, Winston; and his two cherished grandchildren, Samantha Bohannon and husband, Bo, and Tate Sanderson and wife, Trinity. Gary’s absolute joy lived on through his four great-grandchildren— Bryce and Ryder Bohannon, and Lainey and Jett Sanderson—as well as a fifth great-grandchild on the way.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Bluebonnet Home Health and Hospice for their compassionate care, kindness, and support during this time.
The family suggests memorial donations be made in Gary’s honor to H.U.G.S. (Hearts United Give Support), PO Box 24, Wellington, TX 79095.
Sign the online guest at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.
