SPRINGDALE — Former Springdale News owner Charles Sanders died Saturday in Texas.
Sanders, along with two brothers and a sister-in-law, ran the Springdale News from the 1950s until 1973, when the paper was sold to Donrey Media Group.
Charles Sanders, 92, moved to Springdale from Washington state to help his brothers T.C. Sanders and Bob Sanders, along with T.C.’s wife, Maudine, run the newspaper and printing press. An experienced pressman, Charles led the push to modernize the paper with a new offset press after the older-style hot-metal press deteriorated.
“Charlie really came in at a critical period in the ’60s. He knew the area was growing and the paper needed to grow too,” said Jim Morriss, then city editor of the paper. “He was a whiz with the offset press, and he led that transition. He was also the one who was always pushing his brothers and Maudine to hire more people and expand the paper’s reach. Charlie knew the paper had a place in Springdale, and that was the goal he worked toward.”
Sanders was also active outside the pressroom.
“He was one of the people who welcomed me to Springdale, and later to the Rotary Club,” said Jerre Van Hoose, a former Springdale mayor. “Charlie meant so many different things to this city in a variety of roles, and it’s hard to believe he’s gone.”
Sanders remained with the paper for several years after selling to Donrey, then retired and eventually moved to his native Texas, Morriss said.
The Springdale News, which is now the Springdale Morning News, became a part of NWA Media through a series of ownership changes and mergers.
“Charlie was a great individual,” said Jeff Jeffus, who worked as advertising director and business manager for the Sanders family and is president of NWA Media. “He was very involved in the community, and he took a great deal of pride in the paper.”
Sanders died Saturday at Richardson Methodist Hospital, not far from his home in Richardson, of complications following hip surgery.
He is survived by sons Jeffery Sanders of Richardson and Dan Sanders of Long Beach, Calif., two granddaughters, and a niece, Beverly Charlton of Springdale. Bob, T.C., Maudine and Charles’s wife, Evelyn Sanders, preceded him in death.
A memorial service will be set at a later date. Sympathy messages may be sent to Jeffery Sanders, 15 Lundys Lane, Richardson, TX 75080.