Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia for J.D. "Richard" Sanders, Jr., 83, of Foxworth, who passed away Tuesday, February 24, 2026 in Covington, Louisiana. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia. Rev. Jimmy Byrd and Rev. Lynn Martin will officiate the services.

The Sanders family will receive guests on Sunday afternoon from 1:00 pm up until the hour of service at 3:00 pm at Hathorn Funeral Home.

Richard was a man of strong work ethic and legendary wit. Born in Lawrence County, Mississippi on September 12, 1942, he spent twenty years in the U.S. Marine Corps, a chapter of his life that defined his character so thoroughly his family often remarked, "The Marine Corps trained him well." His deep-seated patriotism was a pillar of his identity, and he took great pride in serving his country. That devotion culminated in his instrumental role in helping Hathorn Funeral Home secure a flagpole for their building.

After his military service, Richard became a fixture in the community as the owner and operator of the Oilfield Kitchen. Later he retired from the Louisiana State Penitentiary where he served as a Correction Sergeant. A natural-born jokester with a 75-year "non-stop" smoking streak, Richard enjoyed the finer things in life, so long as those things included red wine straight from a box. While he was a disciplined Marine and a dedicated worker, his softest side was reserved for his grandchildren, whom he loved fiercely. He leaves behind a trail of laughter, a tall flagpole, and a family who will forever miss him.

He was preceded in death by his Wife, Yoshiko Takaesu Sanders; his Parents, J.D., Sr. & Mavis Dixon Sanders; one Brother, Dale Sanders; and one Sister, Annette Wigley.

He is survived by his three Sons, Paul Jeffrey Sanders (Linda) of Bogalusa, Louisiana, Michael Aaron Sanders (Tammy) of Columbia, Steven Eric Sanders (Cheree) of Hattiesburg; his Daughter, Tina Lee Ginn (Chad) of Tylertown; one Sister, Bertie Bullock of Columbia; nine Grandchildren, Tonya Nelson (Jerry), Christine Boyet (Kendall), Tim Sanders (Abby), Brennen Sanders, Kylie Windham (Justin), Dalton Ginn, Jacie Ginn, Allie Sanders, Emma Sanders; and ten Great Grandchildren, Ayrianna Culpepper, Audrey Nelson, Adylin Nelson, Jacen Nelson, Weston Sanders, Levi Sanders, Henry Sanders, Ella Marie Windham, Aubree King, Grayson King.

Mr. Sanders will be carried to his final place of rest by those honored to serve as Pallbearers; they include: Tim Sanders, Kendall Boyet, Jace Rushing, Justin Windham, Joshua Stampley, Bart Pittman, Jonathan Adams, Brooks Newell, and Jerry Nelson. Honorary pallbearers will be Dalton Ginn, Dean Lowery, Greg Smith, Jerry Dixon, Chad Pittman, and David Sanders.

Hathorn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign an online guest register book at hathornfuneralhome.com.