John Edward Sanborn Jr. passed away on July 25, 2015 of complications following heart surgery. John was born Oct. 29, 1952 in Peterborough, New Hampshire to John Edward Sanborn Sr. and Barbra Alice Batchelder. John was the oldest of three children. The family eventually settled in Connecticut where John lived much of the first half of his life. John was raised catholic, played numerous sports and graduated from St. Bernard High School in Montville, Connecticut. He briefly attended the University of Connecticut to play baseball before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force to serve in Vietnam from 1972-1975. John worked dogs as a Scout MP, heavy equipment, and the mobile unit with King’s Guard. John’s exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, led to the development of Hodgkin’s disease shortly after his return to the United States. This started what would be a battle with chronic health issues later in his life.
John traveled and worked in various states before returning to Southeastern Connecticut where he co-owned and operated Sanborn Builders and Remodel with his brother Tim for several years.
John married Kim Lathrop in 1983. John and his wife relocated to Washington State. They were divorced in 1992. John loved Washington and continued to live here being employed for many years by Moduline and Champion Construction Company as service manager.
In 1995, John met, lived with and later married Sharlynn Diane Gates, giving them nearly twenty happy years together. They were united in marriage on March 25, 2003 at St. Joseph Hospital in Tacoma, where John regularly received care.
John was a truly rare individual. John brought joy, fun, humor and kindness to all he met, enriching the life of all who knew him. John was a shining star, which everyone wanted to be close to. John enjoyed, the outdoors, bowling, horseshoes, playing golf with Scott, Bill and Katie, watching sports, movies and TV, card playing, traveling with his wife, attending COMEGA retreats, remodeling their home, going to the beach, cups of coffee at Starbucks, reading the daily paper, wood working projects, cooking, and time spent with his family (especially his nieces and nephews).
John is survived by his beloved wife, Sharlynn Gates; his dear brother and sister-in-law, Tim and Brenda Sanborn; and their daughter, Megan, all of Griswold, Connecticut; his sister, Kris Sanborn and her children, Jake and Sarah Brookes of Bristol, Connecticut; his best friend (brother from another mother), Eldon Erickson of Seattle, Washington; In-laws, Jolene and Mark Kindell and their children Trevor, Hayley and Cheyenne Kindell, all of Adna, Washington and Renell Gates of Tualatin, Oregon; her son, Hayden Hull of Centralia, Washington; mother-in-law, Lois Keen also of Centralia; and two four legged furry children, Rebar and Noodles. With John’s parents coming from large families, he leaves numerous close and dear Sanborn and Batchelder cousins and family members on the East Coast.
He is preceded in death by his parents; paternal grandparents, George Howard Sanborn and Sarah M. Boyd; and maternal grandparents, Lester Ward Batchelder and Marion Genevieve Hardy.
A memorial service is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at Sticklin Funeral Chapel in Centralia, Washington. Immediately following, will be a celebration of John’s life at Gibson Event Center at O’Blarney’s, 221 North Tower Ave in Centralia, Washington. At a later date, John’s cremated remains will be united at his request at Groton Pt. in Connecticut alongside his mothers and fathers. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer or Heart Association, Pierce Co., WA Lewis Co. VFW or Pierce Co., WA Humane Society. Our world was a better place to enjoy and be part of because John was in it. All who knew him will miss John beyond words. The world will be emptier without him. Peace.
Arrangements are under the direction of Sticklin Funeral Chapel, 1437 S. Gold St., Centralia, WA 98531. 360-736-1388.
Condolences may be offered at www.sticklinsfuneralchapel.com
