Dennis Gerald Saunders

1943 - 2018

On the 21st of April 2018, Dennis Gerald Saunders, 75, passed away peacefully at home in Columbia, MD. Mr. Saunders was the beloved husband of Gloria Griffin Saunders for 56 years; devoted father of Robin Saunders (Prof. Stefan Allesch-Taylor CBE) of London, England and Ryan Saunders (Charlotte Armstrong) of Charlotte, NC; loving grandfather of Savannah Spence Roeser and Ella Ryan Roeser of London, England; beloved brother of Linda Saunders Cudd (Robert S. Cudd) of Greensboro, NC, Steven B. Saunders of Brunswick, GA, and the late William D. Saunders (Jeannie Summers Saunders) of Columbia, SC; and cherished son of the late William E. Saunders and the late Evelyn Diamond Saunders of Greensboro, NC. Mr. Saunders is also survived by four nieces, three nephews, three great nieces, and 11 great nephews. Born February 20, 1943 in Greensboro, NC, Mr. Saunders was a 1965 magna cum laude graduate of Appalachian State University. For forty-five years, his professional career focused on commercial real estate finance and development along the Eastern seaboard of the United States. America's antebellum history was Mr. Saunders' further avocation. In addition to numerous articles published over decades, he published his essay entitled "All that Disdain for the Old South" in 2012. To his longstanding friends, he is remembered for his triumph in leading the Greensboro Senior High School (now Grimsley High School) Whirlies as quarterback to win the 1960 4A State Football championship. Foremost, Dennis Saunders' life was about love for his family and friends. His boundless wit, charm and generous spirit will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Friends and family members will be notified of details for a private memorial service to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 26th. In lieu of flowers, we request that donations in honor of Dennis Saunders be made to support the prostate cancer research of Dr. Antonarakis at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Checks should be payable to Johns Hopkins University and mailed to the Kimmel Cancer Center, 750 East Pratt Street, 17th Floor, Baltimore, MD. Condolences may be submitted online to the family via the guestbook available at