John Louis Sanders, Sr., age 69 of Hays died August 1, 2025, at HaysMed - Hays. He was born on December 26, 1955, in Hays, to Elmer Louis Sanders and Freda Marie (Leikam). He married Susan (Cook) December 27, 2001, in Hays.
John attended Hays High (Class of 1973) and left his junior year to enlist in the US Navy. He was a cook for the US Navy from 1972 to 1976. His life after the military included times as a cable line installer, owning Sand Construction Company in Denver, then moving to Hays to cook at the family business, Ted’s Steakhouse. He then worked as a supervisor for Paul Wertenberger Construction from 1990 to 2017.
He is survived by his wife, Susan; stepdaughters, Christina Raz, Arvada, CO, Angeline Butler, Manhattan KS; brothers Jeff Sanders, Hays, Joseph Sanders, Georgia; sisters Judy Laurie, Russell, KS, Janet Pfeifer, Pottsboro, TX; and one step grandson, Christian Butler, Manhattan, KS.
John was preceded in death by his parents, and his older brother, Jim.
Memorial Services will be Monday, January 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory - Brock's Chapel 2509 Vine Street Hays, Kansas 67601. Inurnment with Military Honors will follow the services in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery - Hays.
Memorials are suggested to: Hospice at HaysMed and/or the Robert J. Dole VA Hospital in care of the VA Heartland Network via: https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/50728406/
Cremation under the direction of Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory. Memories and words of comfort may be shared with John's family on his tribute page via: www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com