James Keith Sanders

James “Keith” Sanders, 86, of Mullan, ID, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2025 at his home with his loving family by his side. Keith was born on May 6, 1938 in Leicester, England.

Keith attended St. George’s School in Leicester, England and when he finished his schooling at the age of 15, Keith served an apprenticeship for bricklaying. For four more years, he attened and was baptized in The Church of England.

Keith had three siblings; Ken, Rick, and Mavis, along with aunts, cousins, and many friends nearby. Keith is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Patricia; two sons, Kevin and Steven; three nieces, Jackie, Dianne, and Jan; and one nephew, Robert. Keith is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Keith loved and lived for his horses. Most of his adult life was working on ranches on Oklahoma and Washington State. He was a ranch manager, horse trainer, farrier, and gave riding lessons. He had a way with horses and could work with any breed; however, he loved the quarter and thoroughbred horses. Over the years, Keith met many famous people in the equine industry. When Keith retired, he moved to Florida and then to Idaho where he started working with furniture. He sold many of his handmade pieces at local flea markets in both Idaho and Montana.

Keith was a family man and his family always came first. He was a kind and loving man who deeply loved his family, especially his grandchildren. If you were a friend of Keith’s, you were friends forever and he always found the good in everyone and people were drawn to him. He always had a good story about his life to share with others.

Always enjoying nature, Keith would wake every morning, grab his coffee and look out at the hills for deer or elk. Any animal, large or small, was always given food if they were hungry. He enjoyed traveling and seeing different parts of the county and their unique landscapes. Keith spent countless hours in the yard working to make it beautiful and loved the springtime when all the flowers were in bloom. Keith loved a good adventure out in the woods and if he found a different looking branch, rock, or stump, he’d bring it home and make some kind of furniture out of it.

Keith always believed “it was more blessed to give than receive”. He will be missed by all who knew him and although he is gone, he will live forever in our hearts.

A celebration of Keith’s life is being planned for a later date.

Memories of Keith and messages of condolence may be shared online with his family at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com. Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is assisting the Sanders family with arrangements.