Paul Dean Saunders Sr.

Paul Dean Saunders Sr., of Hermiston, Oregon, was born on January 16, 1930 in Monroe, Louisiana to parents, Owen and Ella May Saunders. He died on November 17, 2013 at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, Washington surrounded by his family at the age of 83 years. Paul was raised in Louisiana until the age of 13 years when came to live in Hermiston, Oregon. He attended ALMS and later Hermiston High School. Paul worked in construction for many years, including the building of McNary Dam. He married Charlotte Darby in Elko, Nevada in 1972. In 1967 he went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad and worked as a section man at Hinkle for 21 years and later in Pendleton for 7 years, retiring in 1995. After retirement Paul worked as a Nanny for several years, in maintenance at the Golden Coral restaurant, in furniture construction, in security for Subway, maintenance at the Umatilla County Fairgrounds, and worked in crowd management for a time. Paul & his wife Charlotte were the 2013 Grand Marshals for the Hermiston Relay For Life. Paul enjoyed fishing, camping, decorating for Christmas, and loved spending time with his family. Paul & Charlotte served as HHS band chaperons for 13 years. Paul never met a stranger.

He is survived by his wife Charlotte Saunders, Hermiston, OR; son: Clifford Saunders (Rebecka) Richland, WA; daughters: Paula Messenger (Pat D.), Hermiston, OR, Pam Saunders, Evelyn Harper-McNeal, Debra Harper-Brown, Ann Arango, all of Las Vegas, NV; brother: Roger (Mary Lou) Gutierrez, Hermiston, OR; 20 grandchildren; several adopted grandchildren; several great grandchildren.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Paul D. Saunders Jr., and his sister, Maxine.

Contributions may be made in Paul’s memory to a memorial fund c/o Burns Mortuary of Hermiston P.O. Box 289, Hermiston, OR 97838.

A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, November 22, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at New Hope Community Church, Hermiston, Oregon.

A private family burial will be held at the Hermiston Cemetery, Hermiston, Oregon.

Please sign the condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon is in care of arrangements.

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