COUNTY LIFE
Reflecting on a high flying life
Dean Sanders ready to celebrate 100th
By DANI BLACKBURN
[email protected]
“I intend to live forever. So far so good” reads a comfortable sweatshirt worn by Dean Sanders at his home at Advanced Rehab in Bowie. The World War II navy veteran will come closer than many to doing just that as he celebrates his 100th birthday on July 2.
Although he proudly wears the comical sweatshirt with the famous Stephen Wright quote, he explains he never actually thought he would live to see his 100th birthday.
“Oh goodness no, I never thought I would turn 100,” said Sanders. “I’ll enjoy it, I’m sure. It’s just one of those things.”
Don’t expect the centenarian to let you in on the reason behind his longevity, because his ornery personality shines through when asked for the secret.
“Yep, I have a secret to turning 100. It’s a secret,” he laughed.
Sanders will celebrate with family and friends all weekend long.
The centenarian was born in Erath County by Stephenville to Roy Dean and Bertie Sanders as the oldest of five children. He moved with his family to Bowie as a pre-teen. Sanders graduated Bowie High School in 1936 and chose North Texas University for the next step in his education. However, before he could graduate, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
“I was still in school at the time,” recalled Sanders. “I was a prime candidate for the war because of my age, but I received a deferment until I could graduate.”
Sanders graduated in 1942 with a bachelor degree in economics and a minor in government. After the attack on the United States, Sanders also began volunteering as an aviation cadet until he received his diploma.
Read the full story in the weekend edition of The Bowie News.
COUNTY LIFE
Bowie, Nocona libraries wrap up summer reading this week
Local libraries wrap up their children’s summer reading programs this week.
The Bowie Public Library brings the popular Creature Teacher with all their spectacular animals for the final event on July 23 at the Bowie Community Center.
The program begins at 10 am. The children also will receive their prize books for their summer logs.
The Nocona Public Library ends its program at 10 a.m. on July 24 at the H.J. Justin Building at 100 Clay Street. The program will be “Our Own Action Heroes -” Nocona fire, police and EMTs.
Top photo – Smokey Bear visiting Bowie last week at summer reading.
COUNTY LIFE
Color added to outside kennels at Bowie Animal Shelter
Rachel and Roger Whitaker gave this metal storage container a fresh look with this colorful mural at the Bowie Animal Shelter. (Photo by Barbara Green)
COUNTY LIFE
Youngsters attend swimming lessons this week
Swim lessons for youngsters of all ages were conducted the past two weeks at the city pool. It was a good place to be during this summer heat. See more photos in the weekend News. (Photos by Barbara Green)
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