John H. Sanders, AIChE East Tennessee Fellow

KINGSPORT - John H. Sanders, 82, died at 10:20 p.m. Friday (July 11, 2003) at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center.

Born in Washington, D.C., Mr. Sanders grew up in Birmingham, Ala., and received a BS degree in chemical engineering from Auburn University (Class of ‘43). He served in Europe during World War II in the U.S. Army as a field artillery observation pilot with the 17th, 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. He received the Purple Heart, and was discharged with the rank of captain.

Mr. Sanders joined Tennessee Eastman Company in 1946 as a junior chemical engineer in the Acid Division. He moved into marketing in 1949 and held positions including sales manager of the Chemicals Division, director of sales in the Fiber Division, and director of marketing for the Floor-covering Division.

He became a vice president of Eastman Chemical Products, Inc. in 1972, senior vice president in 1973, and president in 1976. In 1979, he was appointed to assistant general manager, Eastman Chemicals Division and vice president Eastman Kodak Company until he retired.

During his 40-year career with Eastman, Mr. Sanders was an active supporter of both professional and community organizations. He was a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) for more than 40 years, serving as director, vice president and eventually as president of the national organization. He was named an AIChE "Fellow" and was inducted into the Marketing Division Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the American Section of the Society of Chemical Industry and the Chemists' Club of New York.

Locally, he served as president of Junior Achievement of Kingsport, was a member of the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, and past chairman of the Kingsport Chapter of the American Red. Cross. He served on the Industry Advisory Council for the School of Arts and Sciences at Auburn University and was a member of the board of directors for Auburn University Alumni Association and Girls Inc., and a trustee for Lees-McRae College, Banner Elk, N.C. He also served on the Integrated Emergency Preparedness Council and was instrumental in establishing "911" services in East Tennessee. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Kingsport.

Mr. Sanders was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsport.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Helen Wilson Sanders, of Kingsport; two sons, Dout Sanders of Marietta, Ga., and Scott Sanders and wife Karen of Atlanta, Ga.; and a grandson, Hunter.

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