Theodore "Ted" Sanberry

Theodore Donald (Ted) Sanberry

July 21, 1930 — September 14, 2021

Ted was born in Kiowa, Kansas to Mary Gladys and Donaciano Sanchez-Sanberry on July 21, 1930. Ted had two sisters, Helen Louise and Peggy Ruth; five stepbrothers, Doug Brown, Linus, Alex, George, Hank, and Andy Sanchez; two stepsisters, Patty and Irene.  Ted was married to Nancy Pantet in 1954. To this union two children were born: Donald Lee and Barbara Jean . Ted graduated from Kiowa High School in the Class of 1949. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953 in Germany, where he got his start operating heavy equipment. Upon his return he studied at Northwestern State University in Alva, Oklahoma for two years from 1954-1955. Subsequently, he went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad as a heavy equipment operator, serving for almost twenty years. Following his career with the railroad, he returned to the Kiowa area and operated heavy equipment for local earthmoving contractors until his retirement in 1992. He married Rella Morrow Courson in 1979, and they resided in Kiowa until Rella's passing in September 2017. Throughout his life, he had a love of animals, and he and Rella provided a caring home for many dogs who were abandoned or were strays.

Those who preceded Ted in death include his parents, Mary Gladys and Donaciano Sanchez-Sanberry; his son, Donald Lee Sanberry; two sisters, Helen Louise Barton and Peggy Ruth Fitzgerald.

Survivors include his daughter, Barbara Jean Spaight of Enid, Oklahoma; five stepbrothers, Doug Brown, Linus, Alex, George, Hank, and Andy Sanchez, and two stepsisters, Patty Feazel and Irene Nevitt.

A graveside memorial service will be held in Hazelton, Kansas at a later date. Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Kiowa.  www.lanmanmemorials.com  Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.