Thomas "Tommy" Randolph Saunders, Sr., lifelong resident of Suffolk, passed away peacefully at his family farmhouse on November 1, 2015, after a valiant battle with leukemia. He was 73. Tommy lived his life as an example of Christian love and service, but with a healthy dose of good humor and adventure.
Tommy was born December 20, 1941 to the late Zebulon Vance Saunders, Sr. and Mary Eunice Beaton Saunders, the youngest of four sons who remained close companions throughout their lives.

He graduated from Whaleyville High School in 1960 and served a four-year apprenticeship as a Marine Machinist with the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. He retired after 35 years of service from the Supervisor of Shipbuilding in Portsmouth in 1995.
For over 40 years, he taught Sunday School at Southside Baptist Church, where he also served as a deacon and went on many mission trips. He considered the many people that he led to Christ among his greatest accomplishments. He was active in many community organizations including Boy Scouts, American Red Cross (he donated 17 gallons over his lifetime and organized regular blood donation events), Isaak Walton League, and the Archeological Society of Virginia.

Tommy was an enthusiastic traveler and adventurer, visiting over 10 countries and most of the United States. He hiked parts of the Appalachian Trail, rafted the New River, canoed northern Minnesota and rode a mule to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. His interests included painting, reading, restoring his farmhouse, history and archeology. His favorite moments though, were those he shared with his family, whether it was enjoying a trip together or simply visiting his granddaughters.

His beloved wife Frances Irene Wilkins Saunders predeceased him, as did an infant son, Mark Alan Saunders. He is survived by his three brothers, Zeb (Hazel) Saunders, David (Barbara) Saunders and Gary Saunders; mother-in-law, Edith Wilkins; sisters-in-law, Katherine (Rufus) Powell and Savilla Wilkins; his three children, Thomas R. "Randy" (Roberta) Saunders, Jr., Janet (Timothy) Daly, and Richard Saunders; two granddaughters, Kathleen and Claire Daly; two step-grandsons, Josh and Shane Price; and numerous nieces, nephews and countless friends.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, November 4, 2015 from 7-8 pm at Parr Funeral Home & Crematory, 3515 Robs Drive, Suffolk, VA, 23434. A funeral service will be held Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 11:00 am at Southside Baptist Church, 917 Carolina Road, Suffolk, VA, 23434 with pastor J.C. Kimmer officiating. Burial will follow at Cypress Chapel Christian Church Cemetery. A reception will follow at Southside Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Red Cross, Suffolk Chapter, P.O. Box 129, Suffolk, VA, 23439 or the Southeastern Correctional Ministries, 40 Kings Way, Hampton, VA, 23669. Condolences may be registered at www.parrfuneralhome.com.