Jackson "Jack" Luther Saunders

Mr. Jackson Luther Saunders, 81, of Harrisburg, North Carolina, passed peacefully at his home surrounded by his children on Sunday, February 11, 2024.

A funeral service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Newton, NC at 2 pm on Saturday, February 17, 2024, to be officiated by Rev. Mary Britton Stamey. Prior to the funeral, Jack will lie in state and the family will greet friends beginning at 1 pm at First United Methodist Church in Newton, NC. A graveside service will be held directly following the funeral at Eastside Cemetery, 23 S. Brady Ave, Newton, NC.

Jack was born on December 18, 1942, in Newton, NC to the late Arthur Lee and Mary Lucille Hampton Saunders. He was a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, NC with a degree in Business. Jack was married to his sweetheart, Lois (Ann) Havnaer Saunders in November 1968 and was deployed a month later to Vietnam. He served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corp from 1967-1971. If you knew Jack, then you know he was very patriotic and spoke of his time in the service with great pride and enthusiasm. Jack was a devoted husband and playful father who taught his children to be caring and compassionate, to put family first, and to laugh and be silly. Jack frequently led his children in singing the Marine Corps Hymn, which all four of his children still know by heart to this day. Following the death of his wife in 2022, Jack maintained a meaningful and fulfilling life with his children, grandchildren, extended family, church friends and frequent trips to Chick-Fil-A. Jack was the first to lighten the mood with a joke; his laughter came quick and often. His warmth, compassion for others, and sense of humor will be greatly missed by those who love him.

Jack is preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Lois Ann Havnaer Saunders, his parents, Arthur and Lucille Saunders, sisters: Hope Saunders Abernathy, Carole Lee Saunders, brothers: Mac Arthur Saunders and Robert Daren Saunders.

He is survived by his daughters, Lindsey Patton of Harrisburg, NC, Melinda Somerville and husband, Terry of Irmo, SC; sons, John Saunders and wife, Mandy of Gilbert, SC, Joshua Saunders of Atlanta, GA; brother, James Franklin Saunders and wife, Teresa of Statesville, NC; sister-in-law, Charlene H. Carpenter and husband, Phil of Conover, NC; grandchildren, Andrew, Daniel, Haley, Hannah and Elle Patton, Jackson and Olivia Somerville, Tate and Tilly Saunders; great-granddaughters, Rosemary and Ryleigh Faircloth; 4 nieces and 6 nephews; and many great nieces and nephews.