March 5, 1949 - March 13, 2024
It is with great humility that I share the story of the love of my life and best friend, Dr. Perry Sanders, and have him honored as an ACB Angel.
Perry’s journey from a small community in Oklahoma to academic success serves as a testament to his resilience and the support of his community. Perry’s life story is an inspiring example of overcoming adversity and pursuing one's dreams with determination and positivity.
Perry grew up in Southwestern Oklahoma Primarily in a very small community named Olustee. You are saying to yourself, “say what?” Yes, that is a small community in southwest Oklahoma. He was one of eight children, having five older brothers and two younger sisters. His childhood was marked by a significant challenge; he lost vision in one eye at the age of five when he fell out of a moving car, and lost vision in the other eye at the age of nine due to a detached retina. In the late 1950’s, laser therapy was not heard of, so a buckling procedure was the treatment for detachments. His first flying adventure was on a military transport plane as he was taken to John Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore for treatment. Can you imagine a 9-year-old kid lying on his left side for three months waiting for his retina to flip over? Well, it did, but unfortunately, the treatment was not successful, and Perry was totally blind.
Despite his blindness, Perry continued his education in public school. In the close-knit community of Olustee, no one treated him differently. Whatever all the kids did, Perry did. Such antics included relocating or including flipping over outhouses at Halloween, pestering the town watchman in the middle of the night, raiding watermelon patches on occasion and so on. When all the kids played football, Perry was right there. He either played center so he could hike the ball or more than likely, he was given the ball and ran with it. He was bigger than many of the kids, so they had a difficult time tackling or stopping him.
Following his graduation from high school, Perry attended training in the college prep program at what was then called the Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind. Some of you might remember him, as he was featured in a cafeteria picture in 1969 representing the Choctaw tribe among a diverse group of trainees, not sure but that picture might still be hanging in the cafeteria. He was thankful to have the opportunity for that training as he not only gleaned independent skills needed but He particularly excelled in mobility and in developing braille skills. Following the completion of training at AEB, Perry obtained an associate’s degree in psychology at Altus Junior College. He then enrolled at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree, also in psychology.
In 1975, much to his mom’s chagrin, Perry was afforded the opportunity to spread his independent wings by moving to his own apartment in Tulsa, OK as he was employed as a Rehabilitation Teacher of the Blind through Visual Services. For a small-town kid coming to live alone in the big city, this was a daunting experience. He quickly learned his way around town, learned to use public transportation, and applied his limited cooking and housekeeping skills. He seriously doubted that he could pass the Good Housekeeping Seal of approval for these efforts.
A few weeks following his employment, he and a co-worker attended a meeting at the Pawnee Indian Hospital where he was introduced to co-workers from the Enid office. They were so impressed with his mobility skills that they concluded that he was a high partial. Talk about being surprised to learn that he had no vision. I was one of those he met that day.
Perry and I soon became best friends and started dating. We were great supporters of ATT as we had some hefty phone bills as we talked every night. You see, he lived in Tulsa, and I lived in Enid. Back then there were no cell phones or free minute plans. Most of our dating occurred around visits to my parents’ house in Stillwater or at one of his siblings’ homes in Oklahoma City. That was back in the day when you could get somewhere via the bus.
We were married in 1976. The first 18 months of our married life was long distance. While I worked and lived in Enid, OK, Perry worked and lived in Tulsa. He then moved to Stillwater as he pursued a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. Too bad there was no distance learning available. In the fall of 1977, we moved to Tulsa so Perry could complete his internship with the Division of Visual Services in Rehabilitation Counseling. Following graduation, he was accredited as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
Perry had a distinguished career spanning 27 years as a career counselor under the Workforce Investment Act with the City of Tulsa. Prior to this role, he was a rehabilitation teacher of the blind with the Division of Visual Services. He also was employed in a couple of snack bars under the tutelage of two successful snack bar operators. His service extended to the Visual Services Advisory Committee, the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council as a Governor's appointee, and as Chair of the Statewide Independent Living Council.
His other commitments to service were evident through his involvement with The Tri-County Council on Aging and his participation on the Board for the Foundation for Blind Children, affiliated with the Oklahoma School for the Blind. He was a member of the American Council of the Blind and its local affiliates, the Oklahoma Council of the Blind and the Tulsa Council of the Blind. He also was a life member of the Association of Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Prior to his retirement from the City of Tulsa, he started the pursuit of a doctoral degree. He was awarded that degree from Oklahoma State University in Occupational and adult Education. In the spring of 2009, he became an adjunct professor for the Langston University Rehabilitation Counseling program in Oklahoma City.
After he retired from the City of Tulsa, he was employed as an assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling and Disability Studies at Langston University, Tulsa. He contributed significantly as a research analyst on various research grants in partnership with the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center. His scholarly work was published in the Mountain Plains Adult Education Association Journal.
Perry was deeply passionate about helping others, particularly in guiding them to develop their potential through training or education. He was forever the concerned counselor. He was a bit like Will Rogers in that he never met a person he did not like. As he chatted with folks like the para transit driver, the Uber driver, paratransit riders, the local bank teller, and friends and family, he had an inherent ability to encourage them to consider their abilities and interests and to take advantage of opportunities that would assist them in maximizing their potential.
Those who had the privilege of knowing Perry recognized his boundless kindness and generosity. He possessed an innate ability to connect with people, offering his wisdom, support, and friendship to all who crossed his path. His colleagues admired his unwavering integrity and tireless work ethic, qualities that made him a respected figure in his profession.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Perry was a devoted partner and friend. Our life together was filled with moments of joy, laughter, and love. He had an incredible sense of humor, an adventurous spirit, and an unyielding passion for life. Whether it was exploring new places, engaging in thoughtful conversations, or simply enjoying the quiet moments, Perry's presence was a constant source of inspiration and strength. He enjoyed the yearly Sanders family reunions at Lake Texoma for a time of boating, fishing, and enjoying all the Sanders’ family. He liked to cruise. Along with a variety of family and friends, he took 22 cruises to the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, the Mexican Riviera, Hawaii, and Alaska. He traveled to many interesting cities within the US through attendance at national ACB conventions, AERBVi conventions, participating in ABBA tournaments and through his employment. Perry often counted his travel as a blessing, as he never thought that he, as a kid from a small town in Oklahoma who had rarely been out of the state, could have the opportunity to travel so extensively. He was a great sports enthusiast, particularly as a football fan. It was always amazing that he could recall football players and plays from years past, though he couldn't remember what he'd had for dinner the night before. It showed his unique set of priorities. As an adult every weekend during football season, he would talk to several football buddies on the phone to analyze what they thought would happen that weekend, what had happened the week before, or what happened in games played even in years past. He loved to bowl and was a charter member of the Tulsa Striker’s bowling league. His symbol of success after bowling a strike or spare was to blow imaginary smoke off a set of finger pistols as if to say, “all right!” His laid-back personality made him endearing too many; he never met a stranger and always brought smiles to those around him.
In 2022, Perry was diagnosed with advanced multiple myeloma. Through all the treatments, including dialysis, radiation, and chemotherapy, he remained positive and happy. He consistently looked forward to activities with friends and continued teaching each semester. Perry retired from Langston on January 31, 2024. In February, Perry was admitted to the hospital for further treatment. Despite the challenges he faced, he maintained a positive attitude, often teasing the hospital staff and joking with friends and each of his siblings while walking down memory lane.
Perry celebrated his 75th birthday in the hospital, and we playfully teased him, saying he was probably the only person around to have a spinal tap on his birthday.
Perry went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 13, 2024. His unwavering positivity, love for his family and friends, and dedication to teaching will be forever remembered.
As we honor Perry as an ACB Angel, we celebrate not only his professional achievements but also the profound impact he had on the lives of those who knew him. His legacy of love, compassion, and excellence will continue to inspire and guide us. We are forever grateful for the time we shared with him and the indelible mark he left on our hearts.
Perry, you are truly an angel among us, and your memory will forever be cherished.
Watch Perry Sander's Angels' Tribute video on YouTube here