Corey Sanders

James Corey Sanders, 27, employee of Beaman Bottling Company, died Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at his residence in Nashville. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Thursday at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Kenny Harris officiating. Burial will be in Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by the U.S. Marine Corps. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Notes of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.oakesandnichols.com. The Maury County native was the son of Wayne Sanders of Columbia and Amy Caperton and Michael Bridges of Columbia. He was a 1999 graduate of Spring Hill High School. Corey was an avid bowler and poker player. He won the 2007 World Series Poker Tournament in Tunica, Mississippi and placed 2nd in 2008. Corey served in the U.S. Marine Corps and received a Certificate of Commendation for professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties while serving as a fire team leader, Kilo Company, 4th Battalion, 14th Marines, Force Protection, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group from July 5, 2004 to March 14, 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. During this period, Corporal Sanders demonstrated superior leadership and exceptional initiative by providing over 46 hours of training in artillery and mortar call for fire procedures to 143 Kilo Company Marines, substantially enhancing their overall preparedness for combat deployment. Corporal Sanders' efforts proved effective as marines accurately reported direction and distance of indirect rocket and mortar fire. On October 2, 2004, Corporal Sanders displayed enormous courage during an enemy small arms fire engagement. He quickly assessed the situation and expertly directed his fire team to concentrate suppressive fire on enemy forces attacking Camp Fallujah's perimeter, resulting in the immediate withdrawal of insurgent forces. Corporal Sanders made significant contributions to Operation Al Fajr, the liberation of Fallujah, by successfully defending the camp against multiple attacks by insurgent forces while the assault forces were in the vulnerable assembly period prior to the battle. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his grandfather, Edward "J. B." (Joann) Caperton of Columbia; aunts, Freida (Joe) Dobbs of Murfreesboro; Regena (Ray) Flowers of Hohenwald; JoAnn Seagraves and Betty (Jerry) Haynes, both of Columbia; uncles, Edward "Bernie" Caperton and Jimmy (Ginger) Sanders of Columbia; and several cousins. Pallbearers will be Cole Bowling, Lance Sanchez, Jason Gray, Chaz Butler, Mike Ransom, Jr., Devin Ransom, Tim Pharr, and Daryl Thrasher. Honorary pallbearers will be World Series Poker players and cousins.