James 'Keith' Sanders, 86

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

Keith attended St. George’s School in Leicester, England. When he finished school at the age of 15, he served an apprenticeship in bricklaying. For four more years, he attended 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 seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. 

Keith loved and lived for his horses. Most of his adult life was spent working on ranches in Oklahoma and Washington state. He was a ranch manager, horse trainer and farrier, and he 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, but 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.