Paul Garthright Sanders

Paul Garthright Sanders, 87, of Givens Estates in Asheville, passed away Tuesday, January 30, 2018.

He was born in Glen Allen, VA on a dairy farm (Bent Pine Farm) to the late Laura and Hiram Sanders. He was also preceded in death by one son, Giles Sanders.

Paul graduated from Glen Allen High School and received his B.S. in Agriculture Engineering and a Masters Degree in Statistics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now Virginia Tech).

After graduating, Paul went to work for Union Carbide in Oak Ridge, TN as the K25 Gaseous Diffusion Plant during which time he met his future wife. He worked there until he was drafted into the US Army in 1956 and he served two years at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL working on rockets.

In 1958, he went to work at Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago, IL where he was instrumental in installing their first computer. His work on the clinical trials brought approval from the FDA for new drugs. In 1976, he left Abbott to work for G.D. Searle. When Searle formed a company to produce a new product called NutraSweet, Paul’s work then focused on clinical trials for the new product. Paul ended his career from NutraSweet and retired in 1996.

After retirement, he and his wife, Barbara moved to Asheville where he continued his enjoyment of tennis, hiking and community affairs.

In addition to his beloved wife Barbara, he is survived by their three children, Carol Hughes, Walter Sanders and Reid Sanders (Amy). He also cherished his role as fun-loving Grandpa to Amy Hazen (Steve), Jeff Hughes (Ellen) and Samuel Hughes.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 17, 2018 in the Norma F. Pulliam Chapel at Givens Estates.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Memory Care, 100 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville, NC 28803 or to the Givens Estates Residents Assistance Fund, 400 Wesley Drive, Asheville, NC 28803.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.