Tyler Duane Saunders

Tyler Duane Saunders passed on August 18, 2025 at the age of 41.

Tyler was born February 23, 1984 in Austin, TX and grew up in Smithville with his parents Lisa (Hofferek) and Gary Saunders. The oldest of three siblings, he was a protective, and sometimes corrupting, big brother to Brooke and Seth. As a young man, he enjoyed working cattle, fixing fences, picking pecans, and making hay with his grandpa, Poppy. As he grew up, his love for these things did not change. It was always his goal to be a farmer and rancher, just like his grandpa.

Tyler met his wife, Lindsey, in junior high and their friendship continued through early high school. It wasn’t until after his Junior Prom that he came home and told his mom, “Next year, I’m taking Lindsey Goertz to prom.” And he did. They were never apart from then on.

After graduating high school in 2002, Tyler spent a couple semesters at Blinn in Bryan before leaving for a job at LCRA. He and Lindsey were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rockne, TX on September 10, 2005. When they found out they were expecting their first child in 2012, Tyler left LCRA for a job with the Texas Department of Transportation so that he could be home with his family. He remained there for the next 12+ years.

Tyler and Lindsey were blessed with four beautiful children: Emma Grace, Owen James, Isaac Lee, and Allie Marie. His family was his whole heart. He was an amazing dad to his children, and was always known for bringing the fun into any situation. He loved to fish, hunt, camp, play his guitar with friends, and have “porch parties” with his family. He was the resident “Mr. Fix-It” and would drop everything to go tinker on a tractor or get someone’s truck running…all you had to do was call. He could also build anything out of metal, from his beautiful home for his family to his MANY creations he made for his wife and kids.

Most of all he was a steadfast husband, partner, and friend to his wife over the almost 20 years of their marriage.

Tyler spent the last four weeks of his life living his dream. He had left his job at TxDOT and gone out on his own - working cattle, making hay, and building metal creations. He was truly at peace.

Tyler is preceded in death by his grandparents Ervin and Ann Hofferek, Clarence and Lillian Saunders, Joe Duane and Carlyne Brittain, James and Della Seidel, and Mark Goertz. He is survived by his wife Lindsey and children Emma, Owen, Isaac, and Allie; parents Lisa and Gary Saunders; brother Seth Saunders (Audrey); sister Brooke Saunders; in-laws Michael and Kathy Goertz; grandmother Barbara Goertz; brothers-in-law Justin Goertz (Anna) and Nicholas Goertz (Shelby), nieces Bailey, Scarlett, and Hazel, and nephew David, as well as countless aunts, uncles, cousins, God-children, and friends.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Hungry Tiger Fund through Smithville ISD.

Visitation will be from 5:00pm to 7:00pm and the rosary will begin at 7:00pm on Friday, August 22, 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in String Prairie, Texas.

The Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30am on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in String Prairie.