Kevin William Sanders was born outside Chicago on October 13, 1979, to Duane and Sandra Sanders. He grew up in Palos Hills, Illinois, and graduated from Marist High School in 1997. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and from Parkland College in 2003 with a veterinary technician certification.

Kevin truly believed in the strength and goodness of people. His passion in life was helping and caring for others. He held registered veterinary technician positions in Champaign, Illinois; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Plainfield, Illinois; Waco, Texas; and Hewitt, Texas. Kevin always did what he thought was right and strove to be the best he could be. He taught at Fox College in Tinley Park, Illinois, and McLennan Community College in Texas, inspiring greatness in his students. Kevin lived for the service of others through his participation in the Plainfield Emergency Management Agency in Illinois and the Bruceville-Eddy Volunteer Fire Department in Texas. He was soon to be an emergency medical technician, having just passed his skills test.

Kevin loved caring for animals, working on cars, restoring his 1970 Dodge Charger, listening to music, and attending concerts, watching the Chicago Bears and the Fighting Illini, playing paintball, and spending time with his family.

Kevin is survived by his wife, Sarah Sanders; his son, Reeve Sanders; his mother, Sandra Sanders; his maternal grandmother, Eleanore Frey; a sister, Jeanette (Tim) White and their two sons, Nolan and Alex White; a brother, Scott (Allison Muscolino) Sanders; and many friends and extended family. Kevin was preceded in death by his father, Duane Sanders.

Kevin died in the West Fertilizer Plant explosion on April 17, 2013. He was doing what he loved to do by serving and protecting others and will be forever remembered as a hero.