Oren Sanders was born March 23, 1924. Oren showed up at Branch 28’s first show. With his hat and gloves in hand, he asked what he could do. Oren knew the area and knew a lot of the people and that weekend if something was needed he was there and went and got things to make the show work. Oren wasn’t a charter member, but worked as if he was a member. Oren joined at the second meeting shortly after the first show. Oren served as president of branch 28 for 2 or 3 years. Branch 28 was started in West Planes and migrated to Willow Springs and then on to the present location at Cabool, MO. Oren was at all the moves and is still a member.
Oren was raised on a farm at Thayer, MO. He went to St Louis after high school and studied to be a machinist and worked in that trade for a while and then joined the army. After he came back from the war he married and worked several jobs. In 1958 He and his wife Jesse purchased a John Deere dealership in Alton, MO and after about 6 years they purchased the John Deere dealership in West Planes in 1966 and operated both for another 9 years. Oren said he earned his Doctor’s Degree in John Deere equipment in the 15 years he was a dealer. He came in just as the 4 cylinder tractors were being introduced.
Oren has collected and restored several tractors through out the years. His collection is down to one John Deere LA now. Oren has helped many people starting out in the hobby of collecting and restoring tractors and equipment.
Oren is another man that has served his time in the farm community and deserves the honor of being inducted into the Hall of Fame.