Philip Roger Sanders, Sr., aka The Peanut Butter Man and one of the last Real Cowboys, died April 22, 2026 in Kingman, AZ. Phil was born in Duncan, Oklahoma, October 27,1938. He was raised in Lubbock, Texas. He went to high school with Buddy Holly, Mack Davis, and A J Holob, later of the Kansas City Chiefs. From the time he knew what a cowboy was, that’s what Phil wanted to be. He was one of the last Real Cowboys. He worked on ranches during the summer in Texas and New Mexico. Came to Arizona when he was 18 with his best friend to work on a dude ranch.
Instead, he landed at the Boquillas Land and Cattle Company ranch in Seligman, Arizona breaking horses. He later married his boss’ daughter, late Helen J. Larson, daughter of late Leland and Polly Larson. He and Helen attended NAU in Flagstaff. He later became the ranch manager. They had two children, Philip R. Sanders, Jr., San Antonio, Texas, and Sabra S. Sanders Thornburg, Phoenix, AZ. While attending NAU, Phil worked as a campus electrician, gas station attendant, and taught the girls Physical Ed class to jump on the trampoline.
On weekends they would go back to work on the ranch. During his PE teachings, he taught a few of the college boys acrobatics on the trampoline. They were invited to perform on the Ed Sullivan Show. Phil opted out of participating. He didn’t want to take time off from the ranch. He rode saddle broncs in a few Rodeos. Only two Bulls, first and last, he always said. He and his family moved on to other ranches in Arizona and New Mexico. He later worked for Phelps Dodge to open the brand new town site, Plyas, New Mexico.
He became Chief of Security, Paramedic, Ambulance driver, Fire Chief, and Deputy Sheriff. While there he got his Pilot’s license. The family later moved to Kingman where he worked for CTI and several different paving contractors. The last one was Desert Construction. He and Helen divorced. He later married Dottie Troxel. He ran, but lost, for Mohave County Supervisor. When Dottie died from cancer, he met his last love and wife, Patricia Ann Murphy Warren, while visiting his parents in Texas. He talked her into getting married at Burro Creek, AZ.
Because of their blended family of four doggies, Phil could no longer travel for work, so he retired. They started a successful large household appliance repair and reconditioned sales company known as Triple S Repairs. Thank you everyone for your business and friendships.
Phil is preceded in death by his parents Bob and Marie Sanders; brother Bob Sanders, Jr.; sister-in-law Ann Sanders; grandson Clayton J. Thornburg; stepdaughter LaMairlas Warren Bennet,; Pat’s stepdaughter, and other family members. He is survived by his wife Pat Sanders; son Philip Sanders, Jr. (Teresa); daughter Sabra S. Sanders Thornburg; great-granddaughter Sophia Thornburg; sister Yolanda Hobbs (Rick); stepdaughters Crystal Warren and Tina Warren Martinez (Rodney); several nieces and nephews; and mentees John and Kelly Martinez. So very many friends across the country. Still in touch with some of his high school classmates.
He never met a stranger, loved to help people. Loved to tell stories about his varied life. Loved to talk. He was an extra in the movie Yellow Stone Kelly. Played a calvary solider and an Indian. Became friends with the well know actors and director who wanted him to go to California and work for them. But no, he wanted to go back to the ranch. The money he earned paid for his freshman year of college. Phil always wanted to write a book about his life. It would have been a good one.
Both he and Pat loved to fly in their plane, Tisha 1. They bought her right after they got married. Phil named her after Pat. Tisha is Spanish for Patricia. That’s what he called Pat. They loved to fish, travel in their 5th wheel, play golf (drove the cart), hunt deer and elk, (Pat was the spotter). They were married for 26 years. They lived and loved together, played together, and worked hard together on everything. She became the rock to our family and still is.
Thank you Patricia Ann Sanders, you are loved by many. Phil, Dad, Husband, Peanut Butter Man, Friend is going to be missed by a lot of people.
There will be a Memorial Service for him June 20, at 1 p.m. at Sutton Memorial Funeral Home, 1701 Sycamore Ave, Kingman, AZ 86409, (928) 757-4021. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.
