Dr. Earl Furman Sanders

Dr. Earl Furman Sanders, 71, passed away on December 19, 2023. In Ulmer, SC at his home known as the Village of One on Pamasons Farm in Barnwell County. Earl graduated from Walterboro High School in 1970 where he played football, ran track, was a member of the International Relations Club, Biology Club, Science Club, was the Sports Editor, and part of the Student Council. He went on to attend Clemson University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Earl continued his studies at the College of Charleston and obtained his master’s degree in Marine Biology. After earning his degrees, Earl joined the Peace Corps and traveled the world. He would later take government contracts and study the effects of fishery in remote areas of Africa, Alaska, and many other parts of the world. After the Peace Corps, Earl decided to further his education by attending the University of Georgia where he earned his Doctorate in Maritime Anthropology focusing on ethnic identity, subsistence strategies, and the ecological niche of pre-industrial fishing societies.
Earl used his degrees, wealth of knowledge, and ability to speak and write fluent English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, German, and a few more languages to do more research abroad, particularly in remote fishing villages; making a significant impact on their communities. Earl loved to travel the world and learn the way of life and how people lived in the over 100 countries he traveled to; even building many of his own sailboats and fishing vessels, one of which he built in La Parguera, Puerto Rico named the Rita Maria, which was exhibited in the local fair.
Earl was also a motorcycle enthusiast. He especially loved BMW and Italian motorcycles, which he spent time on his farm restoring. He loved anything with a motor and was known to have whipped up a few homemade gas-powered bicycles just for fun. Earl’s passion for motorcycle riding and exploration lead him to travel over 1 million miles across the world on a motorcycle, including a trip from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego archipelago.
As much as Earl loved to travel the globe, he also enjoyed spending time on his farm with his 3 granddaughters sharing with them his passion for wildlife, taking them on their first motorcycle rides, and most importantly teaching them how to ride bicycles without training wheels.
Earl will be remembered for his sense of humor, quirky names, world class wheelies, funny jokes, his wealth of knowledge, and most importantly his love for his family and friends. We will celebrate his life this spring with his ashes being spread at the Sanders Cemetery plot surrounded by family and friends. His spirit stays alive with the many memories and stories he left behind – “you know where I’m coming from.” “Life is life’s greatest gift. Guard the life of another creature as you would your own because it is your own.
Surviving him are his three children: Rita Sellers (Christopher Sellers), Joseph Furman Sanders (Sawyer Sanders), and Earl Furman Sanders Jr; his 3 grandchildren: Vega Sellers, Hilera Sellers, and Sullivan Sanders; former wives: Eileen Hilera and Pamela Chavarria.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy Furman Sanders and Robert Wilson Sanders Sr., and his brothers, Jerome Pate Sanders, John Whittier Sanders, and Robert Wilson Sanders Jr.
The Family has entrusted Dyches Funeral Home and Crematory with the arrangements.