James Russell Saunders

Mr. James Russell Saunders, age 94, of King, passed away peacefully on Friday night, January 17, 2025, at Northern Regional Hospital in Mt. Airy.

James was born on February 24, 1930, in Allen County, Ohio, to the late Russell James Saunders and Mary Cleo Hauman. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and later had a distinguished career as a special agent for the ATF within the federal government.

He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Jean Saunders; his son, Michael James Saunders; his daughter, Melissa Saunders (Jeffrey) Perryman; and four grandchildren: Emily Susan Saunders, Alex Michael Saunders, Austin James Saunders, and Cora Elizabeth Perryman.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Joe Rex; his brother, Dave Saunders; and his daughter-in-law, Lisa Calloway Saunders.

A funeral service to honor James’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Chestnut Grove Methodist Church in King.  Rev. Jim Martin will officiate the service. Following the service, James will be laid to rest in the church cemetery.

The family appreciates your thoughts and prayers during this time. Cox-Needham Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Saunders family.

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