Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sanderson Charles Jeter |
| Profession | Substance-Abuse Counselor, U.S. Army Veteran, Former College Baseball Player, Co-Founder and Vice Chairman of Turn 2 Foundation |
| Education | PhD in Psychology from Western Michigan University |
| Spouse | Dorothy (Dot) Connors Jeter |
| Children | Derek Sanderson Jeter (born June 26, 1974), Sharlee Jeter (born circa 1979) |
| Grandchildren | Bella Raine Jeter (born 2017), Story Grey Jeter (born 2019), River Rose Jeter (born 2021), Kaius Green Jeter (born May 2023), Jalen Jeter (born circa 2012) |
| Notable Roles | Vice Chairman of Turn 2 Foundation (founded 1996) |
| Military Service | U.S. Army Veteran |
| Athletic Background | Shortstop at Fisk University |
Early Life and Foundations
Sanderson Charles Jeter emerged from humble beginnings, his life a tapestry woven with threads of service and perseverance. Born in the mid-20th century, details of his exact birthplace remain elusive, though connections to Montgomery, Alabama, surface in family narratives. Enlisting in the U.S. Army, he found himself stationed in Germany during the early 1970s—a pivotal chapter where duty intersected with destiny. There, amid the structured rhythm of military life, he met Dorothy Connors, a fellow service member whose shared values ignited a lifelong partnership. They married soon after, blending their worlds into a foundation built on mutual respect and ambition.
Returning stateside, Sanderson pursued higher education, channeling his experiences into academic pursuits. He played shortstop at Fisk University, an HBCU where his athletic prowess mirrored the discipline he later instilled in his children. This era, marked by collegiate baseball and personal growth, set the stage for his multifaceted career. Earning a PhD in psychology from Western Michigan University, he transformed personal insights into professional expertise, becoming a substance-abuse counselor. His work in drug and alcohol counseling not only defined his vocation but also inspired a family ethos centered on healthy choices.
Family Bonds and Influence
Sanderson’s story revolves around a strong family dynamic. He married Dorothy, known as Dot, in Army barracks and had decades of success together. With Sanderson’s counselling training and Dorothy’s accounting background, they created a structured family. Sanderson’s PhD studies brought them to Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1978, providing stability for their growing family.
Their son, Derek Sanderson Jeter, born on June 26, 1974, in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, absorbed this discipline like a sponge. As a former Yankees captain and Hall-of-Famer, Derek often credits his parents’ “contract” system—annual agreements outlining behavior and goals—for his success. Sharlee Jeter, born circa 1979, rounded out the siblings, graduating from Spelman College and stepping into leadership as president of the Turn 2 Foundation. Her son, Jalen, born around 2012, extends the lineage, a young branch on the family tree.
Grandchildren add vibrant layers: Derek and wife Hannah’s brood includes Bella Raine (2017), Story Grey (2019), River Rose (2021), and Kaius Green (May 2023). Sanderson’s presence at milestones—births, games, inductions—paints him as a guiding patriarch. Extended family, including nephews and kin at Turn 2 events, reinforces this network, where philanthropy and personal ties intertwine.
Career Achievements and Philanthropy
Sanderson’s professional path unfolds like a strategic play on the diamond—calculated, impactful, enduring. As a substance-abuse counselor, he drew from his PhD and life experiences to guide others through recovery, his empathy a quiet force. This expertise directly fueled the 1996 founding of the Turn 2 Foundation alongside Derek, an organization dedicated to steering youth away from drugs and toward healthy lifestyles. As vice chairman, Sanderson shapes its mission, overseeing programs in West Michigan, New York City, and Tampa.
Achievements gleam in numbers: The foundation has distributed over $30 million to $45 million in support, funding anti-drug initiatives and youth development. Sanderson’s board role, unpaid per public filings, underscores commitment over compensation. His athletic past—shortstop at Fisk—mirrors Derek’s position, a metaphorical handoff of passion and precision. Financially private, Sanderson’s stability stems from counseling and foundation involvement, free from public net-worth scrutiny.
Recent Activities and Public Presence
In recent years, Sanderson’s visibility has surged through family milestones and foundation endeavors. The 2020-2021 Hall of Fame induction for Derek spotlighted him, with speeches acknowledging parental influence. Documentaries and interviews capture Sanderson’s reflections, his voice steady amid celebrations. Turn 2 galas and fundraising events feature him prominently, raising funds for youth programs.
2023 brought People magazine features on the Jeter parents, highlighting their Army meeting and structured upbringing. Sanderson attends charity dinners, his presence a bridge between generations. Social media and event coverage portray him at family gatherings, embodying quiet leadership.
Videos offer glimpses: Yankees Magazine clips show family interviews, while Derek’s Hall of Fame speech includes heartfelt nods. Turn 2 celebration footage from 2022 marks 26 years of impact, with Sanderson in the frame.
Extended Timeline
Sanderson’s journey traces key milestones in this detailed chronology:
| Period/Date | Event Description |
|---|---|
| Early 1970s | Meets Dorothy Connors in U.S. Army in Germany; they marry shortly after. |
| June 26, 1974 | Son Derek Sanderson Jeter born in Pompton Plains, New Jersey. |
| Circa 1978 | Family moves to Kalamazoo, Michigan, for Sanderson’s doctoral studies at Western Michigan University. |
| Circa 1979 | Daughter Sharlee Jeter born. |
| 1980s–1990s | Works as substance-abuse counselor; raises children with structured “contract” approach; plays role in Derek’s baseball development. |
| 1996 | Co-founds Turn 2 Foundation with Derek; assumes vice chairman role. |
| 1990s–2020s | Attends Turn 2 events, galas, and Derek’s career milestones; foundation distributes millions in support. |
| 2020–2021 | Participates in Derek’s Hall of Fame induction events and related documentaries. |
| 2023 | Featured in People magazine profile on Jeter parents; continues foundation leadership. |
This timeline reveals a life of purposeful progression, from service to stewardship.
FAQ
Who is Sanderson Charles Jeter’s spouse?
Sanderson is married to Dorothy (Dot) Connors Jeter, whom he met in the U.S. Army in Germany during the early 1970s.
How many children does Sanderson Charles Jeter have?
He has two children: son Derek Sanderson Jeter, born in 1974, and daughter Sharlee Jeter, born circa 1979.
What is Sanderson Charles Jeter’s educational background?
He earned a PhD in psychology from Western Michigan University, which supported his career in substance-abuse counseling.
What role does Sanderson Charles Jeter play in the Turn 2 Foundation?
As co-founder and vice chairman since 1996, he helps guide the foundation’s mission to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent substance abuse among youth.
What is Sanderson Charles Jeter’s military background?
He is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Germany, where he met his wife Dorothy.
How many grandchildren does Sanderson Charles Jeter have?
He has five grandchildren: Bella Raine, Story Grey, River Rose, and Kaius Green from Derek, and Jalen from Sharlee.
What athletic experience does Sanderson Charles Jeter have?
He played shortstop at Fisk University, influencing his son Derek’s choice of position in baseball.
What recent public appearances has Sanderson Charles Jeter made?
In 2023, he was featured in a People magazine profile and continues to attend Turn 2 Foundation events and family milestones.
