Kenneth Eugene Saunders Sr.
(August 31, 1926 - July 18, 2008)
U.S. Veteran
Kenneth Eugene “Sock” Saunders Sr., 81, of Lancaster, Ohio stepped into eternity on July 18, 2008 at home surrounded by loving family singing songs of Zion.
Kenny was a graduate of Lancaster High School Class of 1945, and was a standout player of the football team.
He served in the Army Air Force as a medic during World War II.
After his honorable discharge, he returned to Lancaster, Ohio and worked several jobs including at Alten’s Foundry.
He met and married his wife of 60 years, Alice Mae Evans of Hocking County, OH.
He worked at and retired from North America Aviation/Rockwell International, Columbus as a bench machinist/lead man.
Kenny was the patriarch of the black community and was well-respected by people of all races. He was knowledgeable of the black history of Lancaster, and was able to contribute to several projects about black history through Ohio University.
He was featured in Lou Varga’s video “Lancaster Ohio: The Birth of an American Culture.”
He was active in the Lancaster community.
Kenny was not only a father to his children, but to all those who came to the Saunders home throughout the years.
He took people into his home who needed a place to stay.
He was the neighborhood doctor when kids got scuffed up, kept tools handy to fix play equipment; listened to those who needed to talk and gave advice when needed, loaned ties for dates, and disciplined when kids broke house rules.
Many of these kids grew up and returned with their children to meet Dad and share their memories. He will be missed by many.
Kenny is survived by his wife, Alice Mae; children, Kenneth E. Jr. (Mary Ann), Lawrence R,, Hollie A., Alain K, Anthony J. (Toni), Kevin W. Sr. (Francis), Valeria I. (Dennis) Hughes, and Evan S.; grandchildren, Sulimon, Afrique, Heather, Ashley, Kevin, Shauna, Erin, Steven, Terence, Kenya, Staesha, and Quincy; great-grandchildren, Diamond, Daija, Denaya, and Dra’Mae; brother, George; sister, Shirley Hunter; brother-in-law, Lawrence Evans; sister-in-law, Anna Mae; special sons, Robert Castro and Scott “Animal” Crossman; special friends, Rollie “Jeep” Fisher; Dick Evener, Louise Bradford, and Janet Williams, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Alonza; grandson, Dennis Martin Hughes, Jr.; father, Richard Hunster; mother, Minnie Saunders; step-father Floyd Saunders brother, James “Jim” Saunders; aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 23 at 1:30 pm at Maple Street United Methodist Church, Lancaster.
Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Sheridan Funeral Home, 222 S. Columbus St., Lancaster, Ohio.
Burial at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Kenneth E. Saunders Sr. Memorial Fund in care of Fairfield Federal Savings and Loan, 111 E. Main Street, Lancaster, Ohio 43130.