Carl Sanders: A life in photos

Politics

Carl Sanders: A life in photos

A photo gallery of the life and times of Carl E. Sanders, former governor of Georgia.

Carl E. Sanders was Georgia's 74th governor, serving from 1963-1967. A reformer and leader of progressive government, he sought to create a "New South." He died Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014 at the age of 89.

Born in Augusta in 1925, Sanders was first elected to the state Senate in 1956 after playing football for a year on UGA's freshman team and training to pilot B-17 bombers in the Army Air Forces.

In 1958, Sanders and then Lt. Gov. Ernest Vandiver went after corruption in the administration of Gov. Marvin Griffin. Sanders chaired a Senate investigation into the administration's road projects deals, and the resulting publicity was so bad that Griffin's hand-picked successor declined to run for governor.

Vandiver assumed the governorship and Sanders became his floor leader. In 1962, Sanders said he paused to pray over his political plans. After conferring with the Almighty, Sanders decided he would run for governor.

He easily won the 1962 primary and the general election. He was 37.

It seemed like all of Augusta turned out to welcome Sander, the Governor-nominate. Miss Ranscine Pelt (foreground) gets a view of the parade.

When Sanders took office in 1963, the state Constitution forbade governors from succeeding themselves, meaning he had only four years to put his agenda into effect. As governor, he said, "you had to be decisive. I did things rather promptly."

The crowd applauds as Carl Sanders raises hands in greeting after he was sworn in as governor of Georgia in ceremonies in Atlanta on Jan. 15, 1963. His wife, Betty, is at his side. Their two children at right are Carl Jr., and Betty. (AP Photo)

Gov. Carl E. Sanders of Georgia testifies before the Senate Commerce Committee on a civil rights bill to desegregate stores, hotels and other businesses serving the public in Washington, July 30, 1963. He is the fifth southern governor to appear before the committee on this part of the Kennedy civil rights program. (AP Photo)

Gov. Carl E. Sanders and his wife smile on the happy occasion of their Inaugural Ball in Atlanta, Jan. 16, 1963. They were saluted by an honor guard at the occasion, which was jammed by thousands of well-wishers. (AP Photo)

Newly installed Georgia Gov. Carl Sanders (left center, hand on heart) watches his inaugural parade from the reviewing stand in front of the state capitol building in Atlanta on Jan. 15, 1963. (AJC file photo)

Gov. and Mrs. Carl Sanders of Georgia attend the state dinner at the 29th annual Southern Governor's Conference in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, August 20, 1963. Behind them are Gov. Albertis Harrison of Virginia and Mrs. Harrison. (AP Photo/Charles Gorry)

President Lyndon Johnson makes a tour of St. Simons Island Sept. 11, 1964 inspecting damage from Hurricane Dora. Behind Johnson wearing a hat is Gov. Carl Sanders. (AP Photo)

President Lyndon Johnson and Gov. Carl Sanders exchange small talk during a breakfast meeting in May 1964. (AJC file photo)

Carl Sanders tells a Clayton audience that the state is marching backward in educational achievement on Oct. 4, 1984 . (AJC file photo)

Governor Carl Sanders and Senator Hubert Humphrey shed their coats on September 29, 1964. (MARION JOHNSON/AJC staff)

Undaunted by a rainy afternoon and a muddy site, officials of Sears and Roebuck, First National Bank and city and state governments used a five-handled shovel to break ground officially for the new Sears store and First National branch in Buckhead in 1965. Left to right are L.E. Oliver, Sears vice president, Gov. Carl Sanders; Mayor Ivan Allen Jr.; J.D. Robinson Jr., chairman of the First National Bank of Atlanta, and L. E. Swensson, general manager, Atlanta area Sears stores. (Staff photo-Robert Connell) 1965

Atlanta Hawks Lou Hudson pours champagne on ex-Ga. Gov. Carl Sanders in the 1970s. (Charles Pugh/AJC staff)

Georgia's Gov. Carl Sanders displays agility on the tennis court in 1964. (AP)

Ground is broken for a new stadium April 14, 1964 by Gov. Carl Sanders, Arthur Montgomery; his children, Monty and Jeannette; Atlanta mayor Ivan Allen Jr. and Harold McCart. (AJC file photo)

Atlanta mayor Ivan Allen Jr. stands next to Gov. Carl Sander May 22, 1963. (AJC file photo)

Joe Gerson gives the first Major League Baseball ever used at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium to Governor Carl Sanders in 1966. (Special to the AJC)

Former Gov. Carl Sanders outlines Georgia Power rate in 1972. Sanders returned to practicing law after leaving the governor's office.

Betty Talmadge, Atlanta mayor Ivan Allen Jr., Boisfeuillet Jones and Governor Carl Sanders greet First Lady Lady Bird Johnson on her arrival in Atlanta May 12, 1964. (AJC file photo)

Carl Sanders (right) takes the oath of office from Judge J.D. Quillian to become governor in 1963. Outgoing Gov. Ernest Vandiver (left) talks with outgoing Lt. Gov. Garland Byrd. (AJC file photo)

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Carl E. Sanders was Georgia's 74th governor, serving from 1963-1967. A reformer and leader of progressive government, he sought to create a "New South." He died Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014 at the age of 89.

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