Saner Sr., Don Arnold Obituary

Saner Sr., Don Arnold attended Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, CA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Saner Sr., Don Arnold.

Graduation Year	Class of 1951
Date of Passing	Mar 18, 2012
About	SANER, Sr., Donald Arnold Born September 27, 1933 and passed away on March 18, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. Don was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a true friend to many. Married in 1954 to his high school sweetheart, Joyce (Jarchow), the two of them travelled the U.S. while he followed his passion, which was professional baseball. Don signed to play with the Cleveland Indians in 1952. During his baseball career, Don was drafted into the Army, was sent to Germany. Joyce followed three months later, sailing overseas on the S.S. United States. The couple returned home from Germany after almost two years. Among the cities in which Don played professionally were Spartanburg, SC, Mobile, AL, New Orleans, LA, and Little Rock, AR. In 1962, his contract was sold to the Houston Astros, which was a brand new franchise at that time. He went to Spring Training for Houston, hoping to become a first baseman there. After a great spring training, they were going to send him to the minors for a month and then up to the Big League. Since in the off seasons Don worked for State Mutual of America, and found he could make a much better living in that business, he retired from professional baseball. In his first year of selling insurance, Don became the top agent for State Mutual. He enjoyed working in the life insurance business for 45 years with US Life, Programmed Insurance Marketing, and then formed his own corporation entitled FIS Financial Insurance Services, Inc. During his career in the insurance business, he and his wife travelled to many beautiful places. Don loved hunting waterfowl, playing handball and golf, and gardening around his home in Sacramento, CA. He was known for his tasty and beautiful tomatoes. Don and Joyce and their children also enjoyed attending San Francisco 49ers home games, having held season tickets for 37 years. Don was always active in his community. He joined many associations, including the Elks #6 for which he served as the Exalted Ruler in 1975-76. He also was president of his local Rotary, Sacramento Estate Planning Council, Sacramento Life Underwriters, Valley Hi Country Club and the Sacramento Baseball Bushers. Don was inducted into the LaSalle Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000, and was an honorary member of the LaSalle Alumni. He was also on the Board of Regents for Christian Brothers High School, and was given an honorary life membership of Christian Brothers Alumni. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Godfrey & Josephine Saner of Sloughhouse, CA, and survived by his wife, Joyce (Jarchow) Saner; daughter Kimbra; son Donald, Jr.; and sister Frances Saner, who all reside in Sacramento, CA. He also adored his 3 wonderful granddaughters, Elizabeth Saner, Isabelle Saner & Victoria Saner. The family would like to thank Sutter Hospice and Advocates for Seniors Caregivers, Dominique, Willy, Lito & Norman, and to also acknowledge George L. Klumpp Chapel of Flowers, and East Lawn Cemetery in Elk Grove, CA. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held at the Sacramento Elks #6, 6446 Riverside Boulevard, Sacramento, CA at 2pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012. Donations may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association or the charity of your choice. - IOnformation from the Sacramento Bee and Elk Grove Citizen