Virgil C. Saunders

VIRGIL’S LIFE JOURNEY

Everyone leaves a legacy. For VIRGIL CRAIG SAUNDERS, that legacy was his steadfast faith,

his quiet strength, and his unwavering integrity and devoDon to God, his church, and his family.

His heart for service and the selfless values that drove him were insDlled through his myriad

life experiences, which began when he was born on August 25, 1936, in Puerto Limon, Costa

Rica. He was the seventh of 10 children born to George Reginald and Maudlin Viola Saunders.

Virgil enjoyed growing up in his homeland. He aUended local schools and graduated from

Branson High School in Costa Rica. In pursuit of greater opportunities, Virgil moved to the

United States and studied at Los Angeles City College, where he earned his associate’s degree.

In 1961, he was called to serve his country in the U.S. Army, where he dutifully worked in the

Veterinary Food Inspection Department until 1963.

Following his honorable discharge from military service, Virgil built a distinguished career in

construction as a general superintendent with Sy-Art Parking Structures. His leadership and

expertise were instrumental in the completion of numerous landmark projects across the Los

Angeles Basin, including Magic Johnson Theaters, the Shrine Auditorium, Long Beach Airport,

and Loyola Marymount University, among many others. Through his commendable work and

ingenuity, Virgil le\ an indelible and enduring mark on the region’s landscape and the

countless colleagues who admired his diligence and professionalism.

While Virgil’s career consumed a large part of his life, it didn’t solely define it. His life was

guided primarily by his devotion to God. Virgil’s service as a faithful member and ordained

Elder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is where he found lifelong purpose, fellowship, and

joy in worship.

He and his family fellowshipped with several AdvenDst congregations, most notably the

University Church in Los Angeles, the Kansas Avenue Church in Riverside, the New Hope

Church in Ellenwood, Georgia, and ulDmately the Valley Church in Menifee. Virgil was engaged

in supportive roles, assisting Claudette in her various leadership capacities. In later years, he

was actively involved in the Men Of Valley Engaged (MOVE) ministry at the Valley Church.

It wasn’t “all work and no play” for Virgil. He enjoyed a variety of hobbies. In addition to

being a diehard LA Lakers and LA Dodgers fan, Virgil also had a deep passion for music, having

toured for several years with the famed Walter Arties Chorale.

Virgil’s life was further enriched by deep and enduring love. He was married to his “first

love,” Claudette Whitehorn (also from Costa Rica) for 48 fulfilling and evengul years. They were

blessed with two wonderful and accomplished children, Darrell and Erica, and they built a

rewarding life for the family in California. After Claudette’s untimely passing in 2013, Virgil later

married Allyson Francis, who partnered and lovingly cared for him for the rest of his life.

As a nurturing father and family man, Virgil was highly lauded as a “source of unwavering

strength, wisdom, and kindness throughout our lives,” says Darrell. “He showed incredible

dedication to his family, always prioritizing our well-being and personal growth. His guidance

and support largely shaped us into the people we are today. He was intenDonal about insDlling

values of integrity, generosity and patience in us.”

Erica agrees, noting, “Dad was a kind and conscientious father who taught us, not only by his

words, but also by example and his actions. He stressed the importance of our being honest

and dependable. Dad always prioriDzed his relaDonship with God, seeking to raise us in the

way he believed the Lord required of him and to instill in us profound spiritual truths. He was a

loving, wonderful father, and I was very blessed to have him as my dad.”

Beyond being an exemplary husband and father, Virgil might say his greatest joy was his

cherished role as “Grampy” to his two adored grandsons, Hudson and Harrison. They enjoyed

memorable Dmes together, including those repeat trips to Disneyland—definitely his daughterin-

love Christine’s happiest place on Earth.

On October 25, 2025, at the golden age of 89, Virgil peacefully went to his rest in the Lord.

Those who knew him will remember his gentle demeanor, his dry wit, his devotion to doing

what was right, and his deep love for his Lord, Jesus Christ. His life stands as an enduring

testament to perseverance, patience, humility, and grace.

Virgil leaves to cherish his extraordinary life and legacy, his devoted wife: Allyson Saunders;

son: Darrell (ChrisDne) Saunders; daughter: Erica (Will) Faust; grandsons: Hudson and Harrison

Saunders; step-children: Tisa, Raymond, Richard, and Ronald Francis; step-grandchildren: Niah,

Najee, Nayim, Nianne, Tyjir, Nahla, Yeadyn, and Nysir Francis; godchildren: Shelton Morgan,

Stephen and Marc Alexander, Maya Allen, and Daniel Winston; brothers: Earle Saunders,

George Saunders, Jasper Saunders and Rogert (Juanita) Saunders; sister: Brenda Fox; additional

godchildren, and a host of extended family and cherished friends in the household of faith.

 Virgil was predeceased by his late wife: ClaudeUe; and four siblings: Phyliss Hudson, Georgette

Allen, Winston Saunders, and Chester Saunders.

Though we mourn Virgil’s passing, we look forward to that grand heavenly reunion when we

shall hear our Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant . . . enter into the joy of your

Lord” (Mathew 25:23).