A pillar on Lyon County’s judicial bench for nearly 20 years has died.
John O Sanderson passed away at Newman Regional Health on Thursday. He was 85.
Born in Osceola, Iowa, in 1938, Sanderson got a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas. Before beginning a lengthy legal career, Sanderson served in the Army from 1960-1970, including deployments to Alaska, Japan and Vietnam. He also served 20 years in the Army Reserves before retiring as a colonel.
Sanderson’s legal career started in 1973 as an attorney with Atherton, Hurt and Sanderson, departing that role after being appointed as Lyon County District Court Judge in 1988. He retired in 2007.
Besides his careers, Sanderson was also involved in several community groups and veterans organizations, including the American Legion Post 5, Kiwanis Club and Outlook Club.
There will be a memorial service at 10:30 am Wednesday at Emporia’s First United Methodist Church. Inurnment follows at 2:30 pm Wednesday at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery in Manhattan. Contributions can be sent to the American Legion Ball-McColm Post 5 or First United Methodist Church.
