Otho George (Bid) Sanders

Otho George (Bid) Sanders entered this world on May 23, 1938, in a tent in a logging camp with water rushing underneath the floorboards in a rain storm in Versailles, Illinois. He departed this world peacefully and painlessly while surrounded by family on September 8, 2021, at 83 years of age. We have lost an outstanding educator, friend, son, father, husband, brother, neighbor, and grandfather. He was always generous and honest and loving. Memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church in Mountain Home, on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 2:00 PM. Cremation under the care of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

Bid described his life musically in the following examples: Life – “I Did It My Way”; Religion – “Why Me Lord” and “How Great Thou Art”; Love- “Unchained Melody”; Life’s Sorrows – “Try to Out Run the Wind”; Marriage – “Walk Through This World With Me”; and his career by the movie “Hoosiers.” He was an avid collector of books, long-playing records, coins, pocket knives and stamps. Bid enjoyed fishing, walking, woodworking, reading, writing mountain man and Oregon Trail and assorted love poems, coaching/watching basketball, track, football and baseball. His 1 - 1 - 2 - 1 Basketball Trap Play was published in Coaches Clinic magazines and book.

Bid attended schools in Oregon and graduated from Yoncalla High in 1956. He lettered in football (4 years), track (2 years), basketball (3 years), and baseball (4 years), and was student body president. He joined the Air Force from 1956 – 1960. He attended Syracuse University and became a Russian linguist in the Security Agency and Russian Cryptographer. He served 6 years in the U.S. Army National Guard. Bid was stationed in Texas, Alaska, New York, St. Lawrence Island, Baltimore-Washington D.C. and Oregon. He received his B.A. from the University of Oregon in 1964 and Masters in 1979. He taught, coached, and became an administrator in Oregon at Yoncalla High, Santiam High, Elmira High, Joseph High, and the Mountain Home schools.

It seemed Bid was afflicted with more health issues than most of us. He had 3 open-heart surgeries, an appendectomy, diabetes, spinal stenosis surgery, a stroke, a grand mal seizure and finally cancer. He maintained a positive attitude throughout all this adversity and never lost his sense of humor keeping the family hopeful until the very end.

Bid was preceded in death by his parents: Otho Dee Sanders and Myrtle Faye Sanders, Beverly Journigan (sister), and brother Baby Sanders.

Survivors are Polly S. Sanders (wife), siblings Delores Carrera (Richard) of Fort Worth, TX, Randall Sanders (Judy) of Joseph, Oregon, and Marcella Wagoner (Michael) of Union, OR.

Children: Matthew Sanders (Heidi Bell), Stephanie Hubbard (Robert), David Grindle, Michelle Mace, and Jennifer Pearson.

Special family – Reilly Grindle, Claire Oyler, Ryan Grindle, Cara Grindle, Zack Mace, Jocelyn Mace, Alexis Mace, and Katie Hubbard

The family wishes to thank Horizon Hospice Care Staff.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to ASPCA.