James Saunders

James Larry Saunders, 77, of Disputanta, passed away Saturday, May 8, 2010. Born in Hopewell, he was the son of the late Glenn William and Beulah Smith Saunders. Also he was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Richard Saunders and brothers-in-law, John Hosea and William B. Williams. Larry was a natural athlete from boyhood and was a proud graduate of Hopewell High School, where he played baseball, and was a fullback on the state champion football teams in 1949, 1950 and 1951. He attended Chowan College on a football scholarship prior to serving in the U. S. Army for two years, during which he played on the post baseball team. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1958 and later received his Masters Degree from The College of William & Mary. During his career, he was a teacher and coach, guidance counselor at Hopewell High School and principal at Mallonee Junior High. He later was an educational specialist with the U.S. Army Q.M. School, Ft. Lee, VA where he retired. He was a member of Liberty Baptist Church. He became an avid golfer, out on the course with his family and the Colonial Heights Golf Association where he won at least three championships. He also loved gardening, yard work, & family gatherings. Most of all he was a devoted and loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. He passed on his love and knowledge of sports to his sons and grandson, and loved hearing his daughter & granddaughter play the piano. Larry was always himself: reliable, responsible, positive, humble, wonderful sense of humor, a true Christian - just a steady presence in our family. He was the wind beneath our wings. His favorite verse was â??I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.â? We will miss you Dad. Mr. Saunders is survived by his wife of 54 years, Anne Dodson Saunders; sons, James Larry â??Chipâ? Saunders, Jr. and Randall Mead Saunders; daughter, Lisa Saunders Bennett and husband, Clay Bennett; grandchildren, Daniel James Saunders and Elizabeth Bennett; brother, Glenn William Saunders, Jr. and wife, Betty Justice Saunders; sisters, Christine Saunders Hosea and Maxine Saunders Williams, brother-in-law Alfred M. Dodson: and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Tuesday, May 11th, at the Hopewell Chapel of J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service. A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 am Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with Phil Andres officiating assisted by Bruce Catron. Interment will follow at Southlawn Memorial Park in Prince George. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Liberty Baptist Church in Hopewell or the Prince George Emergency Crew. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .