With great sadness, we announce the passing of a wonderful man. Albion Neil Sanderson passed away Sunday, October 8, 2023 at his home
in Salem, Utah surrounded by his girls and his best buddy, Scampy.
Neil was born to Dewain & Jennie Sanderson on September 26, 1944 in Payson, Utah. He was the second of six children. Neil learned to work hard on the family’s thirty-acre farm in Genola, Utah where he enjoyed hunting, fishing and ice skating.
He was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at the age of 13 and later completed his temple work in the Manti Temple.
Neil graduated from Payson High School in 1962 and then enlisted in the Air Force in 1964. His military service included a transfer to Phan Rang, Vietnam where he helped build the Air Force base. In January of 1968 he married Jeri Mae Taylor in Reno, Nevada. In February 1968, he was honorably discharged and returned to Utah with his new wife and her daughter, Angie. They later had a son, Adam Shawn and a daughter, Sandra. Neil and Jeri divorced in 1975.
Neil met his second wife, Barbara Shepherd while working at the Bergin Mine in Eureka, Utah. She was a widow with four small children (Shellie, Tammy, Melanie and Phillip). He loved them like his own. A year later their daughter Andrea was born to complete the family.
His employment included hard-rock miner, mine foreman, federal mine inspector, underground electrician and electrician for Nebo School District. Neil also served as a member of the mine rescue team and as a volunteer fireman for Salem City.
Neil loved to ride horses, camp, fish, hunt (especially the Genola Pheasant Hunt), snowmobile and ride his four-wheeler. Doing these things with family made it extra fun! He kept a well-maintained, large garden and was happy to share the harvest. Everyone looked forward to his pumpkin picking parties. Leatherwork and coin collecting were some of his other favorite hobbies.
He is survived by his children – Adam Shawn Sanderson, Sandra Sanderson, and Andrea (Kyley) Black. His step-daughters Shellie (Merlin) Hickman, Tammy (Terry) Brindley), and Melanie (Richard) Hansen. Neil was preceded in death by many of his loved ones including his wife, Barbara and step-son, Phillip. There will be a happy reunion in heaven.
Neil was a dedicated, thoughtful, and kind husband, father, and grandfather. He loved his family dearly and will be missed by all who knew and loved him; including his 18 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to his hospice nurse, Andrea Huff at Aspen Ridge. Neil thought of her as one of his girls.
Funeral services will be Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 11:00 am with a visitation from 9:45 am to 10:45 am at the Apple Blossom Chapel (25 W Apple Blossom Way, Salem, UT). Burial will be at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery
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