Joe Sanders Obituary

Dr. Joe M. Sanders, Jr.

Charleston - Dr. Joe M. Sanders, Jr., of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at his home on January 13, 2026. His devoted wife, Dottie, and loving son, Eric, were at his side.

Dr. Sanders was born July 5, 1940, in Hartsville, South Carolina. He was the son of Col. Joe M. Sanders and Mildred Anderson Sanders. He had one sibling, Jeannie Gayle.

He attended kindergarten and elementary school in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and spent one year in Japan, where he attended Yoyogi Elementary School in Tokyo. He graduated from Dreher High School in Columbia, South Carolina, and from The Citadel in 1962, followed by his medical degree from the M.U.S.C. in Charleston.

Dr. Sanders completed his internship and residency at Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco, followed by a fellowship in adolescent medicine at San Francisco Children's Hospital. He was then stationed at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Colorado, where he founded a fellowship program in adolescent medicine and trained pediatricians in the specialty. While living in Colorado, the family enjoyed skiing, camping, and playing tennis. Joe retired from the U.S. Army as a colonel in 1986.

His second career was as C.E.O. of the American Academy of Pediatrics in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. During this time, he and his wife traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad, attending medical meetings. Dr. Sanders co-hosted The Healthy Kids television program with TV personality Kim Alexis and worked directly with high-level members of the U.S. Executive Branch in an advisory capacity. The Academy dedicated a life-size bronze sculpture to Dr. Sanders, titled Together, by artist Dennis Smith, which was placed on the Academy's grounds. He retired in 2001. Dr. Sanders was the recipient of numerous honors, including the U.S. Army Legion of Merit, the Adele Hoffman Award for Leadership in Adolescent Medicine, and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from The Citadel. He also served on The Citadel's Advisory Committee for Math and Science.

The couple retired to Seabrook Island in 2004 and later moved to Bishop Gadsden, their current residence.

He was preceded in death by a son, David Scott (4½ months old), as well as his parents and sister. Survivors include his loving wife, Dottie; two sons, Chip and Eric; daughter-in-law, Lisa; two granddaughters, Carolina and Cassidy Morris; two grandsons, Marshall and Alex Sanders; two great-grandsons, August and Rowan Driggers; and many cousins and nephews.

Joe will be remembered for his ready smile, easy going personality, and generous spirit.

Memorial contributions may be made to Paul Newman's "Hole in the Wall Gang" Camp.

Interment will be in the Citadel Bell Tower.

We invite you to share a memory and sign our guest book.