James G. Saunders

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James G. Saunders, age 88, of West Jefferson, OH, passed away Saturday, November 7, 2020.  Born to the late Alva and Hazel Saunders, Jim was a graduate of West Jefferson High School, Class of 1950.  He was a veteran of both the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps and served during the Korean War.  Jim retired from Western Electric after many years.  He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Barb Saunders and his sister Arminta Jane Forrest.  He is survived by his daughters: Connie Lee Atkisson, Pat Morehart, Nancy (Robert) Sands and Kym (Kenny) Kauffman; his grandchildren: Aaron (Tiffany Reynolds) Atkisson, Alycia (Aaron) Alexander, Kristen Kenney, Chad Morehart, Jeremy Sands, Sgt. Shaun (Alicia) Sands, Nick (Brittany) Sands, James Kauffman, Kyle (Lexi) Kauffman and Nicole (Andrew) Berczelly; great-grandchildren: Gavin, London, Kaydence, Ysabelle and Asher Atkisson, Sierra, Jalen, Issiah, Alexis, Leanna and Markus Alexander, Kelsey and Kinley Kenney, Carter, Colsen and Brantley Sands, Sicily, Paisley and Lorelei Kauffman; and many nieces, nephews and friends.  Jim was a member and Past Commander of American Legion, Jefferson Post #201 where he served as the Finance Officer and as a member of the Honor Detail.  He was Twice-Past Ohio District 6 Commander, American Legion.  Jim was a member and officer of 40et8 Cheminot serving as Grande Chef de Gare.  He was a member of VFW, Clarence Bo Casto Post #7005, West Jefferson, a life-member of Chapter #93, DAV and was inducted into the Ohio Veteran’s Hall of Fame in 2010.  Jim was very active in the West Jefferson community.  He assisted with the Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” toy drive and served as the local co-ordinator for the American Legion’s Buckeye Boys State.  Jim also served as the proctor of the “Americanism and Government” testing program in the West Jefferson schools.  He was active with the American Legion Auxiliary with their frequent visits to the VA Hospital in Chillicothe, Ohio, the annual poppy sales and Easter Egg Hunt and assisted in local food basket deliveries in the community.  Along with his late wife Barb, Jim led the effort to place American flags on the graves of veterans buried in five different cemeteries.  He loved his roses and had tested roses for Jackson & Perkins.  For the past 25 years, Jim and Barb planted and maintained the many flower beds around West Jefferson.  Jim’s family and community will miss him.  Family will receive friends 5:00-8:00p.m. THURSDAY at the RADER-MCDONALD-TIDD FUNERAL HOME. 1355 West Main Street, West Jefferson, OH 43162 (614)-879-9222 where his Funeral Service will be held 11:00a.m. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2020 with Pastor Jerry Newman, officiating.  Burial will Military Honors will be held following the service at Somerford Cemetery, Summerford, Ohio.  In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to consider memorial contributions to: Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue, P.O. Box 13072, Columbus, OH 43213 www.centralohiosheltierescue.com or to the Humane Society of Madison County, 2020 Plain City-Georgesville Road, NE, West Jefferson, OH 43162 www.hsmcohio.org.  Please visit www.radermcdonaldtiddfuneralhome.com to send condolences to the Saunders family.