Harold 'Tony' Sanderson, 80

Harold Anthony "Tony" Sanderson passed away Oct. 13, 2023. Though he was born in Vancouver, Wash., May 6, 1943, to Harold and Minnie (Lenz) Sanderson while his dad was working in the wartime shipyards, Tony was a true Idaho native. Tony, his sister, Judy, and parents returned to Coeur d’Alene after the war.

Tony grew up in the midtown area of Coeur d’Alene surrounded by his friends and cousins. He attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School through the ninth grade before transferring to Coeur d’Alene High School.

Growing up, Tony had a penchant for causing mischief. Many of Tony’s "adventures" caught the attention and ire of his uncle, George Lenz, the then-Coeur d’Alene Chief of Police. Consequently, Tony spent a large portion of his teenage years washing Coeur d’Alene cop cars as punishment.

Just before his 18th birthday, Tony joined the Navy, hoping to see the world. He sure accomplished that goal. During his 23-year career, he visited many of ports of call. They included Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Philippines, St. Thomas, Greece and many others, including many bases in the United States and a 12-month tour in Vietnam from July 1967 until July 1968. Tony received many service-related accommodations and retired in 1984 as a Petty Officer 1st Class.

After retiring, Tony spent many years in Boise, working for Boise State University and the Idaho State Juvenile Detention Center in Nampa, Idaho. During a large part of Tony’s life, he fought a battle with alcoholism and finally won that battle. He recently celebrated his 41st year of sobriety. He attended AA meetings every day for the past 41 years and his AA brothers and sisters became his second family, but his first family was always his sister, Judy. In 2000, he moved back to Cd'A to be closer to her and his cousins, Dixie Reid and Gretchen Harrison. His greatest joy was regularly spending hours reminiscing about his childhood growing up in Cd'A and Cougar Gulch, where his grandparents and aunt and uncle had a farm.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his sister, Judy Meyer (Corky); his two nieces, Nancy Logsdon (Tracey) and Elizabeth Boutin (Steve) and their families; cousins Dixie Reid (Tom), Gretchen Harrison (Bill), and his many AA brothers and sisters.

There will be a graveside service with military honors for Tony at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at St. Thomas Cemetery, 115 S. 23rd St., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Thank you to Hospice of North Idaho for the loving care given to Tony during his final week. Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements.

Please visit Tony’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com