Lynwood Sanders

Pannal Lynwood Sanders, 83, of Orange died Friday, Dec. 12, 2014 at Harbor Hospital in Beaumont, Texas. Visitation is from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday, December 14 at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, December 15 at First Baptist Church, Orange with the Rev. Barry Bradley officiating. A private burial will precede the memorial at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in West Orange. Pall bearers will be Alan Sanders, Jim Sanders, Steven Sanders, Jordan Gray, Aaron Sanders, David Sanders, Tyler Sanders and Carter Sanders.

Born September 24, 1931 near Dry Creek, La. to Pannal Ethan and Ada Lorraine (Green) Sanders, Lynwood was raised in DeQuincy, La. and was graduated from DeQuincy High School where he played sports, was an All-State Center and Class of 1950 salutatorian. He married Doris Ellen (Cox) of Oakdale, La. in 1954. He attended Louisiana State University and was graduated from LSU Law School in 1957. He moved his family to Orange on June 1, 1957. He remained licensed in both Texas and Louisiana, practiced real estate/banking law and was an owner of Sabine Title Company until his passing.

He worked in politics in Louisiana during his college years and served from about 1988 until 2002 as Orange County Democratic Party Chairman. He worked to elect Congressman Charlie Wilson in 1973 and for 24 years his law office served as Orange County "home base" for Wilson. He conducted the title work for construction of Toledo Bend Reservoir, keeping a satellite office in Hemphill. He was appointed by Gov. Ann Richards to fill an unexpired term on the Texas Water Development Board from 1994-1998 and helped gain loan funds for local water and sewer improvement projects.

Lynwood was an avid hunter and active in the Sabine Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. He received a lifetime achievement award from Sabine DU in October. He provided support for the Moore-Odom Wildlife Foundation and Mottled Duck Sanctuary on marshlands associated with his "Mansion on the Marsh" camp in the Cove area of Orange.

A lifetime member of Orange Rotary, he served as president, assistant district governor and is in the District 5910 Hall of Fame. Earlier this month, he received a lifetime achievement award from Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce for his service and dedication to the community. He was an active member of First Baptist Church, Orange and recently provided funding for a prayer/walking trail on church property.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 49 years, Doris; and sister, Aileen Nugent of Pineville, La. He is survived by daughter Ann and husband, Everett Spencer of Ovilla, TX.; sons Alan Sanders and wife, Myra of Pearland, TX.; Jim Sanders and wife, Pam of Cypress, TX.; Steven Sanders and wife, Donna of Baton Rouge, La.; grandchildren Alysse Gray; Jordan Gray and wife, Carly; Aaron Sanders and wife, Holly; Katie Sanders; David Sanders and wife, Myranda; Shaun Kelley; Leana Kelley; Tyler Sanders and wife, Olivia; Meagan and husband, Ken Johnson; Kayla Sanders; Carter Sanders; and Abbie Sanders; and nine great-grandchildren.

Donations may be sent to First Baptist Church, Orange walking trail fund; Sabine Ducks Unlimited; or Orange Rotary Scholarship Fund.