James Howard Saunders

1924 - 2015

Funeral services for James Howard Saunders, 91, of Blackwell, will take place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015 at Blackwell Methodist Church with Reverend Jerry Vincent officiating. Interment will follow at Blackwell Cemetery with military graveside rites performed by the U.S. Naval Honor Guard. McCoy Funeral Home of Sweetwater is in charge of arrangements.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015 at McCoy Funeral Home.
Saunders died Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, at his home.
He was born August 16, 1924, in Blackwell. He married Wanda Lackey on Oct. 22, 1947 in San Angelo. He was a lifelong 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 Blackwell Methodist Church. He went to work for Lone Star Cement at the time it opened (1955-1975) and retired after 20 years. He also 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 other things in the community. He was a veteran in the U.S. Navy in WWII (1943-1946).
Survivors include one daughter, Barbara Saunders Linder and husband David of Azle; three sons, Jimmy Saunders and wife Judy of Houston, Thomas Saunders and wife Karen of Ranger and Donald Saunders and wife Colleen of Blackwell; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Wanda Lackey Saunders on Jan. 6, 1996; and eight brothers and sisters.
Pallbearers will be sons, Jimmy Saunders, Tom Saunders and Donald Saunders and grandsons, Jason Saunders, Jim Saunders and Leman Saunders.
Honorary pallbearers will be grandson, Dave Linder and great-grandson, Carson Fauver.
Memorials may be made to Nimitz Museum, 340 E Main Street, Fredericksburg, TX 78624.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.mccoyfh.com.