Stanley Stewart Saunders Jr.

“Our precious father and husband”, Stanley Stewart Saunders Jr., left this earth on March 8, 2017 in Atlanta, GA. Born November 20, 1925 to Rose Mills Saunders ("Billie") and Dr. Stanley Stewart Saunders ("Brick") in Boston Mass. He grew up in High Point N.C. He played football with his high school and enjoyed playing "pranks" with his friends. At 16 years old, he went to Duke University as an officer candidate. Two years later, he joined the Navy and was the highest ranking naval officer in the bay of Nagasaki at the age of 19.

After completing his term of service, he returned to Duke to complete his degree in Civil Engineering. He was the president of Sigma Nu fraternity and there he met his wife of 67 years, Anne. Together, they had four children who gave them seven grandchildren.

A builder of dreams, Stan created many innovative transport systems for multiple companies and he held many patents. He was infinitely curious about the way the world around him worked, was always engaged and engaging. A keen observer of people and the world, he found joy and humor in most things. He was gracious and kind, even throughout a disabling illness. He loved a good joke, even if he was the subject of the joke. He particularly enjoyed the Optimist Club, especially when it came to helping children.

He and Anne enjoyed extensive travel, community service, race running, windsurfing, sailing, flying kites, yoga and their church. They were members of the choir for over 35 years. He was well loved in the community at Lenbrook and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his beloved wife, Anne, precious children Mary (John) Simpson, Nancy Saunders, Stewart (Anne) Saunders, Margaret (Jon) Foster, sister Sylvia (Scott) James, beloved grandchildren Ben, Anne, Tom, Jake, Luke, Stan, Clare, and multiple well-loved nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held at Holy Innocents Episcopal Church on Saturday, March 18, at 2:00 pm with a reception to follow, where the family will receive visitors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Innocents Church or the Optimist Club of Atlanta.