Jacksonville, NC - Robert Lee Sanders Sr, Gunnery Sergeant, USMC (Retired)January 17, 1947 – December 20, 2015Robert L. Sanders Sr. of Jersey City, New Jersey passed away on Sunday, December 20th, 2015, at home in Jacksonville North Carolina. He was at the age of 68 and battling Multiple Myeloma from his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.Gunnery Sergeant, Sanders was a Vietnam Veteran, a volunteer who started his military career as a paratrooper in the United States Army with the 101st Airborne Division. He saw combat service in Vietnam as a paratrooper and fought in direct combat with hostile forces. He later enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where his enlistment later took him to Parris Island, SC as a Drill Instructor charged with instilling the values of the Corps into new recruits. He then was assigned to Camp LeJeune, NC, where he made his home. He had several MED tours, Arizona, California and Okinawa assignments. He was in Communications and "Gunny" dedicated 20 years of faithful service to the Marine Corps before his retirement. His fellow Marines used to refer to him as "One Squared-Away Marine." After his active service to the Corps, he stayed in Jacksonville and worked at the local Walmart and later retired from there as well.Robert L Sanders Sr. was born on January 17, 1947, in Jersey City, NJ to the late Frank Sanders and Marie McCoard. He was preceded in death by his brother, Herman and sister, Patricia. He is survived by his five children, Robin M. Smith of Woodbridge, VA., Robert L. Sanders Jr., of Madrid, Spain, Theresa A. Sanders of Jacksonville, NC, Ashley M. Peterson, serving in the US Air Force abroad at Aviano Air Base, Italy, and Michael J. Sanders of Charles City, IA; sister, Jacqueline Worrell (Frederick); and brother, Joseph "Bowie" McCoard. He also leaves behind three grandchildren whom he affectionately loved and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends, Hannah Brown, Dale, Indian Dale and the Hess family; his Walmart family, beloved neighbors and many Semper Fi friends.Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27 at Jones Funeral Home, Jacksonville.Graveside service with military honors will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28 at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.Electronic condolences may be left for the family at Jonesfh.org.