Thomas Francis Saunders, Usn (Ret.)

Thomas Francis Saunders, USN (Ret.)

November 29, 1935 – April 27, 2016

Thomas Saunders, 80, Warner Robins, GA, peacefully passed away on April 27, 2016. Tom, son of Francis and Odessa Saunders was born in Beverly, Mass. He was the first son born into a close-knit family of twelve children. In 1953, he joined the United States Navy (USN) and served active duty for twenty years, retiring in May1972. He served ten more years in the Armed Forces Fleet Reserve, totaling thirty years in service to his country. Tom was honored for his military service with a Veterans Pinning Ceremony on April 26 at Pine Pointe Hospice.

Tom played football for the Navy TARS in 1959. After an injury ended this dream, he joined the Armed Forces Courier Service (Norfolk, VA). He graduated from the Naval Locksmith School in 1966. After retiring from the Navy, he opened a locksmith business in Virginia Beach, VA. In 1979, Tom and his son, Michael, relocated to Warner Robins, GA, where he operated Saunders Locksmith until his full retirement in 2009.

He is survived by his wife of thirty-five years, Lynda (Evans) Saunders; four children Kathy (Richard) Corey, Tomi (Raymond) Hayes, Michael Saunders and stepdaughter Phyllis Ussery; five grandchildren Lauren (John) Brunner, Dustin and Brittany Corey, Robert and Bradley Hayes and three great-grandchildren Penelope, Genevieve and Louisa Brunner.
Other surviving siblings and family members; Elizabeth Rogers, Odessa Beard, Mary Adams, Edwin Saunders, Roberta Jansky Page, Richard Saunders and Evelyn Mitchell and thirty-two nieces and nephews. His siblings Norma Rodeinzer, JoAnn Baron, Joseph Saunders and Christine Mackey preceded him in death.

A proud member of the Mason's Blue Lodge (Portsmouth, VA), Scottish Rite, Al Sihah Temple and Royal Order of Jesters (Macon, GA) and as an active Shriner, he participated in three units: Clowns, Jeepsters and Classic Cars. He enjoyed riding motorcycles and was a member of Robins Riders and Chapter Q of the GA Gold Wing Assn.
On April 26, The Rev Bryan Hinson (Christ Episcopal Church) provided the Ministration at the Time of Death and Unction. Tom will be greatly missed by his family and friends. A private family memorial service was held on April 27 at All Saints Episcopal Church. At his request there will be no funeral service. His ashes will be released into the ocean, which he so dearly loved.

Please go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with Mr. Saunders' arrangements.


Funeral Home:
McCullough Funeral Home
417 S. Houston Lake Rd.
Warner Robins, GA
US 31088