Gale, Melissa, and Kozzar

Born Gale Ford Sanders on July 24th, 1959, he loved being a father, grandfather, and friend to many including his best friend James (Jim) Kenney. He was a kind, gentle man, who loved the outdoors, botany, rock and roll music, and had a soft spot for animals. He was truly a larger-than-life personality with unmatched wit and humor. Gale dedicated his whole life to taking care of his family and the ones that he loved. He loved being the grandpa of his two grandsons Warner (5 years), and Kozzar (22 months). He was the biggest fan at every t-ball game, and spent hours in the park and backyard playing with both of his precious boys. Gale also loved “his girls” - Ashley, Sarah, and Vanessa, and was so proud of all of them. He will be forever remembered by those who knew him.

He is survived by his sisters Ronna and Allison, his children Ashley, Sarah, Vanessa and his grandson Warner. He was preceded in death by his parents Herbert Oscar and Ruth Jean, and his siblings Charlotte, Janice, and Roger.

Born Melissa Elayne Campbell on June 24th, 1975, her children Sarah and Vanessa and grandchild Kozzar were her whole world. She was a caring and passionate woman, who enjoyed the outdoors, exercise, and laughing with her friends and family. She was a romantic who always saw the best in people. She worked hard to study her way through college, while raising her two daughters to become a Registered Nurse. She deeply cared for people and animals and cherished taking care of them. She loved playing with and teaching her children and grandson about all of the magic and beauty of the world.

She is survived by her parents Dan and Jaynie, her sister Marie, and her daughters Sarah and Vanessa.

Kozzar James Lotut was born on December 20th, 2024 at Akron General Hospital to his mother Sarah Sanders and father Lyubomir Lotut Jr. While pregnant with Kozzar his mother had experienced some concerns early on but was later confirmed to have a fully intact pregnancy. Near the end of her pregnancy Sarah was in a car “accident” and struck by a truck pulling out blindly from Tony’s gas station in Port Washington, Ohio. Almost directly in front of his father’s house. Once again it was found that at the time there were no known complications after the ultrasound was completed and baby Kozzar fought through. On December 20th, 2024 Kozzar decided to come 6 weeks early. Kozzar spent 21 days in the NICU fighting for his life and to be able to come home. His first Christmas and New Years were spent there as well with his mother, father, and grandparents at his side. Kozzar after hospital discharge was found to have Cerebral Palsy from the accident. Kozzar’s entire family stepped in to fully support him and ensure he had all the love and resources to overcome his disability and gain the ability to walk. Kozzar’s grandmother Melissa put her career as a nurse on hold and worked with Kozzar every single weekday and many weekends for hours on end daily. Kozzar’s grandfather Gale also started staying with her all day and often evenings and nights to ensure Kozzar and Melissa had support and “help”.

On the night of October 20, 2026 his mother had gone down a second time that night to his Nana’s to get him and bring him home for the night. That night Kozzar insisted that he did not want to go back with his mother and wanted to stay with his Nana and Pap. When he was given the okay by his mother he became very joyful and was reading his new books with his Nanna on the couch.

Melissa Campbell (Nanna) , Gale Sanders (Pap Pap) and Kozzar James Lotut left this earth together in the early morning hours of October 21st, 2026. Kozzar’s Nanna and Pappy were given the honor of walking him up to heaven's gates and seeing his first steps. God passed the message along to Kozzar a few nights prior that he was not forgotten and would walk soon, and he lit up when he heard the news . Kozzar was given an assignment before he came to this Earth and he fulfilled his promises God made him for his life.

Kozzar is survived by his mother and father, Sarah and Luby, his great-grandmother and grandfather, Jaynie and Dan, and grandparents, Nadia and Lyubomir Sr., as well as many aunts, uncles, and beloved cousins.

Walk by faith not by sight, seeing is believing, Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see.