T. Nelson SAUNDERS Jr.

1930 - 2021

SAUNDERS, T. Nelson Jr., who had a distinguished career as a successful entrepreneur and founded several international businesses headquartered in the Richmond area, passed away on February 5, 2021. Born in Richmond, Va. on August 20, 1930, he grew up in the city with his natural parents, Tom Saunders and Avis Bowry Saunders; and his sister, Avis Rae Benninghove. As a young child, he later moved in with his adopted parents, Hansford and Elsie Truslow, along with their daughter, Isabel Fine. The Truslow's loved Nelson as their own and he felt the same for them as his true parents and sister. He began his working career at the young age of seven, delivering newspapers and working at Cavedo's Drug Store.

He attended both Fishburne Military School and Richmond Polytechnic Institute, which later became Virginia Commonwealth University. After completing his undergraduate degree at Richmond Polytechnic, he pursued his master's degree at University of Richmond. Much of his later success he attributed to Fishburne Military School, where he went on to become the Chairman of their Board of Trustees.

As a teenager, he went to work in the family business, Richmond Auto Parts, with locations throughout Virginia. He worked his way up to the position of Sales Manager, while at night pursuing his passion of building race cars. He was one of the original members of NASCAR, where he and his partner, Alfred "Booby" Lane, became local legends throughout the state of Virginia. He maintained many of those NASCAR friendships throughout his life with such notables as Junior Johnson, Mike Wallace, Hut Strickland, Sonny Hutchins, Junie Donlevy and many others. After his retirement from NASCAR, he never missed flying into Daytona for the Daytona 500 race.

Nelson was a lifelong entrepenuer. Among the successful businesses that he started and owned were Dominion Oxygen, Accu Industries, Intellicam, and Saunders Investment Properties.

Many of his businesses were located in the Hanover Industrial Air Park, where he was one of the key business leaders and a commercial real estate developer. He and his longtime business partner, James E. Holmes, built and owned many commercial properties, apartments, hotels and motels. He was an avid private pilot, fully instrument rated, and owned multiple airplanes. He and his lifelong friend and fellow pilot, H. Gilmer Beauchamp, spent many hours in the cockpit together.

His greatest pleasures in life were the friendships he developed during his business career and the love of his wife, children and family. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne Shelhorse Saunders; and his son, Thomas N. Saunders III (Gale); his two daughters, Suzanne L. Saunders Dennicourt (Clement) and Lisa B. Saunders; and all of their grandchildren. He enjoyed spending time at his river cottage at Horse Point, where he entertained friends, played tennis and worked on his yard. He and his wife, Suzanne, were a fixture at many of Richmond's finest restaurants such as the Capri, Little Venice, La Petite France, The Commonwealth Club, Chez Max, Buckhead's, The Jefferson and Westwood Fountain. He was devoutly religious and never missed a family meal without a blessing and saying his prayers before bed.

Nelson enjoyed helping people. He was generous to several charities and privately giving to individuals needing help. He was a loyal supporter of Buford Academy, Fishburne Military School, St. Mary's Hospital and the Pentecostals of Richmond Church. He enjoyed sharing his experience and guidance. He was always there to lend a helping hand to both friends and strangers in their time of need. He was very close to his employees and built a personal relationship. He was always there to help them when needed.

The funeral service will be held 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 10, at the West Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 11020 West Broad St., Glen Allen, Va. 23060. Interment will follow in Westhampton Memorial Park, 10000 Patterson Ave., Richmond, Va. 23238. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fishburne Military School, 225 S. Wayne Ave., Waynesboro, Va. 22980.