Richard "Dick" Sanderson

Richard “Dick” Sanderson, 79, passed peacefully away on July 22, 2025 with his loving granddaughter, Reina Sanderson, by his side at Suncoast Hospice House in Clearwater, FL.

He was born in Ohio to Clyde and Barbara (Powell) Sanderson on December 4, 1945. They proceeded him in death along with his brother Joe. He has a surviving sister Lou Ellen Hinkle who resides in Frontier, MI. He married Jackie (Ott) Sanderson (now deceased) and they raised three surviving children. Tracy (Jeff) Noel, Richard (Rachel) Sanderson II, and Jaime Sanderson. He worked for the Michigan State Mental Hospital before it closed. They spent many years together in Coldwater Michigan before their divorce in 1982 and Richard moved to Clearwater, FL.

In Clearwater, Richard met his Life partner of over 30 years, James (Jim) Ponticelli, and built a life together filled with plants and animals that Richard enjoyed so much! He was involved in many activities including the Greyhound Rescue, President of the Garden Club and Bonsai Club. He worked as a private caregiver and for Pinellas County Animal Services along with volunteering at Franciscan Center in Tampa. He also was a medic in the Vietnam War and has many Army decorations.

He is survived by his life partner, Jim, and their dog Charla. Along with his 3 children, 11 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 5 nieces, 1 nephew and his Sister-in-law and many other family and friends. Special thank you to his wonderful neighbors at On Top of the World especially to Sheila and Barbara who did everything in their power to make sure he was taken care of when he could no longer do the things he wanted to for himself and being with him up until the very end! You were very special to him. Thank you to his caregivers too who showed him love and thank you to Empath Hospice Services for ensuring his comfort at his final moments here on Earth.

We will have a celebration of his life on July 31, 2025 from 2-4 pm at the Bellaire room at On Top of the World in Clearwater Florida. Per his wishes, he will be cremated and his ashes to be spread at Honeymoon Island at another date and time. A Life Tribute Funeral Care in Largo, FL are taking care of arrangements.