Gary Sanders

Gary “Hod” Sanders, 63 of Missoula, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, January 24 at home of natural causes.
He was born on June 17, 1953 in Helena, MT to Dick and Dorothy Sanders. Soon after, they moved to Billings where Gary spent half of his childhood before moving to Great Falls. He then returned to Billings where he graduated high school.
In 1971, Gary moved to Missoula to attend the University of Montana and began his lifelong passion of skydiving. In February of 1975, Gary crossed paths with Tina who would soon become his other half and lifelong best friend. Tina and Gary were married on June 2, 1978. They welcomed a baby boy on July 29, 1981. Three years later, B.J. became a big brother to Gary’s baby girl, Nikki on April 7, 1984. The last of the clan, Jake, came along on March 7, 1992.
Beyond getting married and starting a family, Gary joined the Navy in late 1977 shortly after returning home from the World Championships of Skydiving in Australia. From there, he became a three-time world champion skydiver. He served as an aviation electrician on the U.S.S. Constellation aircraft carrier and was a member of the United States Navy Parachute Team. Upon completing his Navy career, he went on to become a postal carrier for the United States Post Office for 33 years. Gary and Tina owned Skydive Montana for 25 years and had the pleasure of taking over 6,000 people on the thrill of a lifetime.
He enjoyed spending time with family, studying history and visiting its landmarks; he loved animals of all kinds. With 11,038 jumps, skydiving was his passion.
Gary was the most loving husband, father and grandfather. With his big heart and funny sense of humor, Gary was an all-around wonderful person that everybody loved.
Gary is preceded in death by his grandson Preston, sister in law Bonnie and parents Dick and Dorothy.
Survivors include his wife, Tina of Missoula; brother, Bob Sanders of Kalispell; daughter, Jennifer of Nevada; son B.J. and wife Nutasha of Missoula; son Jake of Missoula and daughter Nikki and husband Dave of Georgia; grandchildren Makayla, Aaliyah, Jayce, Alexis, Brooklyn, Addison and Liam.
Memorial Service and a Celebration of Life will be on Monday, January 30, 2017 at 2:30pm at the Missoula Alliance Church with a gathering for friends and family to follow the service. Condolences for the family may be left at www.gardencityfh