Jack L. SAUNDERS

WILLIAMSBURG - Jack Lee Saunders, 81, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and uncle passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Friday, Sept. 10, 2010.
Jack was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Paul J. Saunders and Lillian Elizabeth Banther Saunders on May 9, 1929. Following his mother's death in 1933, the family moved to Colorado, where he later graduated in physics from Colorado State University. He attended Officers Candidate School and was appointed Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.
As a physicist, Jack played an important role in the research and design to supply the communications and data systems for the Apollo Spacecraft missions, while working at Collins Radio in Newport Beach, Calif. In 1966, he moved his family to Scottsdale, Ariz., a year later he founded Saunders & Associates, which provided consultation to the quartz crystal industry. Jack built the company into an electronic test equipment provider, shipping to divisions of virtually all of the major component, automotive, and electrical equipment manufacturers in the U.S. as well as to 50 countries. At work and at home he was known as "J Lovable".
Jack retired to Williamsburg, Va., in 2000, where he enjoyed his retirement taking cruises, traveling with his wife, and playing golf with friends in Kingsmill. He lived each day to its fullest, and his kindness and wisdom touched many lives.
Jack is survived by his wife, Pat Saunders; daughters, Kris Wetherill and Kim Smith; granddaughter, Alisha Wetherill; son-in-law, Vince Smith; and his nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
A private family service has been held. A celebration of his life will be planned for a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Heritage Humane Society, 430 Waller Mill Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185 (www.heritagehumanesociety.org) or the American Cancer Society (for lung
cancer), P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 (www.cancer.org).
Online condolences may be registered at www.bucktroutfueralhome.net View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.