Carl Edward Saunders
Carl Edward Saunders, 88, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2024, at The Blake in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was born on December 25, 1935, in Rockfish, Virginia, to the late LeRoy Lewis Saunders, Sr. and Nettie Thompson Saunders, both of whom preceded him in death.
Carl enlisted in the U.S. Air Force just one month after graduating from high school in Nelson County, Virginia, where he played football, basketball, and baseball. He proudly served in the US Air Force's Strategic Air Command, using his love of math to maintain the jets that protected the nation. Carl and Kacki were stationed primarily stateside, with several tours of duty in Africa, Germany, and Greenland.
After his service, Carl attended the Jefferson School of Commerce, earning a diploma in accounting and management. He went on to dedicate 40 years to Sperry Marine, now known as Northrop Grumman, before retiring.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Carl coached Little League and later developed a love for golf, playing many Saturday mornings with the Sperry Golf Team. He and Kacki also shared a passion for UVA football and basketball, attending many games together over the years.
Of all the things Carl cherished in life, his greatest love was his wife, Kacki. Carl and Kacki met in the fourth grade, and when Kaki's mother asked about her first day of school, Kacki declared that she had met the most handsome boy she had ever seen and that someday she would marry him.
True to her word, Carl and Kacki were married on December 25, 1954, in Rockfish, Virginia, and they enjoyed over 70 wonderful years together.
Carl and Kacki welcomed their son, Jeffrey Carl Saunders, on February 7, 1956, in Columbus, Ohio, and from that moment, Carl's role as a father became the joy and focus of his life.
Carl had a deep appreciation for good food and loved meeting his buddies regularly for breakfast.
His wife, Kacki, extends heartfelt thanks to those friends who brightened Carl's days, as well as to the owner and staff at Michael's Restaurant for their kindness and friendship.
The family also wishes to express their love and gratitude to Brenda and David Trevillian for their constant love and care, which meant so much to Carl and Kacki.
A longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Charlottesville, Carl was committed to his faith and his community. He will be remembered for his dedication to family, his service to his country, and the kindness he showed to everyone he met.
Carl is survived by his beloved wife, Kacki, and their son, Jeffrey Carl Saunders. He is also survived by his nephews, Stephen Lewis Saunders and his wife Jackie, and Victor Glen Saunders and his wife Kim, along with his sister-in-law, Rebecca M. Saunders, all of Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Car's memory will live on through the love he shared with his family and friends and the many lives he touched. His generosity, humor, and joy for life will be greatly missed.
Carl was laid to rest in a private graveside service at Holly Memorial Gardens in Charlottesville, Virginia on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
