James Howard Saunders

James Howard Saunders

Blackwell, Texas

Funeral services will be 10 A.M. Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at Blackwell First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jerry Vincent officiating. Burial will be in Blackwell Cemetery with military graveside honors by the U. S. Navy Honor Guard directed by McCoy Funeral Home. A family visitation will be from 2 to 4 P.M. Sunday afternoon at McCoy Funeral Home. James was born to Harvey Franklin and Bertie (Cade) Saunders August 16, 1924 in Blackwell, TX. He married Wanda Lackey October 22, 1947 in San Angelo, TX. He was a life long resident of the Blackwell area attending school at Fort Chadbourne, Bronte and Blackwell. While growing up he attended church at Fort Chadbourne and was a member of the Blackwell First United Methodist Church. He went to work for Lone Star Cement at the time it opened (1955-1975) and retired after twenty years. He worked with Therell Burwick from 1971 to 1981 as a mechanic and dozer operator. James also helped build the dam at Oak Creek Lake and took care of the Blackwell Cemetery(20 years) among many other things in the community. He was a veteran of W.W. II serving in the U. S. Navy (1943-1946). He is survived by a daughter Barbara Saunders Linder and husband David of Azle, TX, three sons; Jimmy Saunders and wife Judy of Houston, TX, Thomas Saunders and wife Karen of Ranger, TX and Donald Saunders and wife Colleen of Blackwell, TX, eleven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Wanda Saunders Januuary 6, 1996, and eight brothers and sisters. Pallbearers will be his sons; Jimmy Saunders, Tom Saunders, Donald Saunders; his grandsons Jason Saunders, Jim Saunders, Leman Saunders. Honorary pallbearers will be a grandson Dave Linder and great grandson Carson Fauver. Memorials may be made to The Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, TX, 78624. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mccoyfh.com.