Mr. Charles H. Sanborn

Mr. Charles Sanborn, age 72, of Shelbyville, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2017. He was born to Charles Hubert Sanborn, Jr. and Edna Frazier Sanborn on July 8, 1944, at Vanderbilt Hospital, Nashville, Davidson County, TN. His parents predeceased him in 1974 and 2004, respectively. An older brother, Thomas E. Sanborn, now residing in Lyles, TN, welcomed him to the family. He grew up on Riverwood Drive, attended Dan Mills Elementary School and Isaac Litton High School. Upon graduation he attended Tennessee Technological University, majoring in Industrial Technology and participating in the R.O.T.C. program. He met his future wife, Norma C. Duke, while there and they married June 4, 1966. After graduation he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army serving his country proudly and attaining the rank of Captain in the Army Reserves. His career as an Engineer was with Kellwood Co., in a plant in Shelbyville, TN- Model Sportswear, a plant in Brookhaven, MS-Stahl-Urban and ultimately with Kellwood Corporate Manufacturing Services in Shelbyville, TN. He was a partner in forming Cole and Associates, ARK Inc., and Ark Paper Co., all in Shelbyville, TN. His was a member of First Baptist Church, where his Great-Grandfather, R.N. Sanborn, pastored many years before. He served as boys Sunday School Teacher for several years. He also helped with a nursing home ministry at Glen Oaks Nursing Home for 30+ years. He loved being a song leader on Sunday morning for the residents and telling them stories about his basset hounds. While a member of the Optimist Club, he was a Boy Scout Leader for Pack 390 and thoroughly enjoyed taking his troops hiking and camping. He and his wife of 51 years have one son, Jeffrey Charles Sanborn. Going to the ball park for baseball games to watch his son “behind the plate”, were years treasured and in later years watching him race stock cars and dragsters, as he once did, made him very proud…as he was of all his son’s accomplishments! He loved to fly fish at local ponds. He loved street rods, stock car racing, and drag racing. But in these twilight years, his favorite pastime was being with and watching his grandson, Clayton and his granddaughter, Katelyn and was always wanting to know how his three step-grandchildren, Julia, Cole, and Olivia, were doing. He was known by close friends and family as “Bo”, many others called him “Charlie”. He never met a stranger. He could find some topic to talk on with everyone! And would help anyone anyway he could. He loved to read and was a big fan of John Wayne movies. He would go “hunting for Sasquatch” on all the shows that offered information. He was all this and more….my first and only love, and I am proud of how he wanted to make a difference anyway he could. And I believe he did! After 72 years he passed from this earthly life on March 1, 2017. He is survived by his wife, Norma; his son, Jeffrey and wife Robin; his grandchildren, Katelyn Sanborn, Clayton Sanborn, Olivia Jackson, Cole Jackson, and Julia Jackson (Shelbyville, TN) and his brother, Tommy Sanborn (Lyles, TN); a sister-in-law, JoAnn Murray Smith and husband Dallas (Cookeville, TN), a nephew Derek Murray (Indianapolis, IN), a nephew, Douglas Murray, wife Marnie, great niece Layla Murray and great nephew Jude Murray (St. Paul, TX); cousins Ann Jackson and Nancy and Gene Wimpy and their families and cherished friends. Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Mr. Sanborn requested to be cremated. The family will have a celebration of life memorial service at a date and time to be determined later. Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mr. Charles H. Sanborn

July 8, 1944 - March 1, 2017