John Benjamin (Jay) Sanders passed away peacefully with his family by his side on September 30, 2026, after a graceful and courageous journey with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Jay was born September 17, 1964, to John Thomas and Lady Jacqueline Sanders in Little Rock, Arkansas, and grew up in Ponca City, Oklahoma, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. He earned a bachelor’s degree in literature from Wheaton College and a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University, where he met his wife, Catherine Voss Sanders. They married on January 5, 1991, and had the privilege of raising three entirely delightful children together.

Professionally, Jay began his career as a travel writer before moving into advertising, where his quick wit served him well. But work was never more important than family. He spent a couple of years as a stay-at-home dad and often worked part-time or took summers off (“Jay-cation”) to spend more time with the kids.

If there could be just one word to describe Jay, it would have to be kind. He was gentle and easygoing, never in a rush, paying attention to little things others were too busy to notice. He was a voracious reader and had a great memory for facts and history. An almost insufferable punster, he was playful, funny, and mischievous – riding his bike off the pier, doing headstands in odd places, eating too much candy, making quirky collages, or running amok with middle schoolers at church. He had a wonderfully creative mind and loved art, photography, and especially music, passing hours listening to Pink Floyd records or making meticulously crafted mixtapes. Above all, Jay deeply loved his family and friends and had a profound faith that gave him an abiding sense that all would be well. He taught us so much about how to live; now we just need to learn how to do it without him.

Jay is survived by his wife, Catherine; children, Jack, Ione, and Anna (Dominic); mother, Jacque; sister, Vicki (Steve); and too many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and dear friends to count.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 17, at Crossroads Presbyterian Church, 6031 W. Chapel Hill Rd., Mequon, WI 53097 – visitation from 12:30–2 p.m., memorial service at 2 p.m., followed by a reception with light refreshments.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Jay Sanders, or, in his honor, just lend someone a hand.