Drayton Clark` Commander Sanders

Commander Clark Drayton Sanders, 46, a native of Dalton and a graduate of Dalton High School, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, following a brief illness.He was born May 13, 1963, in Macon.Clark entered the military in July, 1981, as a cadet at the United States Coast Guard Academy. He holds a bachelor of arts in history from Auburn University, a master of science in international relations from Troy State University, graduated with distinction the Naval War College and graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College. He has accumulated more than 5,300 flight hours and earned his civil Airline Transport Pilot license.Accomplishments include: Winner of the 1996 Naval Aviation Safety Award, winner of the Carrier Air Wing One Golden Wrench Award, and designation as a Combat Search and Rescue Strike Lead and Level 4 Night Vision Goggle pilot. He also had the distinction of flying a SH-60F out of water at night after engine failure, the only time on record this has been accomplished.Cmdr. Sanders' personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Mertorious Service Medal, two Air Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals with two Gold Stars, Navy Achievement Medal, Air Medal One Strike/Flight Award and Gold Star, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal and Kuwait Liberation Medal. Cmdr. Sanders proudly served in Operation Desert Storm.Cmdr. Sanders is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 24 years, Jenny Sanders; oldest son, Evan and his wife Amanda; his youngest son, Ian Sanders; his beloved parents, Dr. and Mrs. Drayton Sanders of Dalton; sister, Anne Finn and husband Tom; mother and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. John W. McIvor; brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Beth Kernan, brother and sister-in-law, Cab and Tammy McIvor; his sweet granddaughter, Lorelai and nieces and nephews, Mitchell, Kelly, Mason, Mackensie and Katie Kernan, Joey and Cab McIvor Jr and Justin and Amelia Finn.Clark was surrounded by a loving and devoted family who will cherish the memories we were given and will miss him terribly.Service under the care of Hardage Giddens Funeral Home, Jacksonville, Fla. Viewing is Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. The funeral is Saturday at 2 p.m.Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center), is in charge of arrangements.