Gary S. “Satch” Saunders, 66, of Winchester, Virginia, peacefully passed away, Tuesday, November 27, 2018, at his home with his family by his side.

Mr. Saunders was born in 1952 in Bedford, Virginia, the son of the late Marion and Lawton Saunders. He was a graduate of Liberty High School in Bedford, Virginia and Virginia Tech, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree. Mr. Saunders taught WECEP at Charlottesville High School for 14 years, where he met the love of his life and future wife, Betty. He was a Project Manager with Saunders Building in Winchester, retiring in 2017. He was of the Baptist faith.

Mr. Saunders was a member of the German Club at Virginia Tech, where he was the Keg Chairman and was a member of the Winchester Moose Lodge. He enjoyed building furniture with his two boys, was an avid Packers fan and proud stockholder in the organization, as well as a Hokies and Orioles fan. Mr. Saunders loved Nags Head and all the friends he made there. Most of all he loved spending time and playing with his grandchildren, who referred to him as “Pappy”.

He married Betty Vaughan, affectionately known as “Woman”, on July 9, 1977 at 3:00 pm, in Charlottesville, Virginia at the UVA Chapel.

Surviving with his wife of 41 years are his sons, Travis Saunders (Katie) of Winchester, Virginia, Kyle Saunders (Jody) of Earlysville, Virginia; brother, Lawton M. Saunders (Suzy) of Winchester; grandchildren, Audrey and Camden Saunders, both of Winchester; sister-in-law, Linda Welsh (Holmes) of Leesburg, Virginia, sister-in law, Liz Vaughan of Carrollton, Virginia and brother-in-law, John Vaughan, of Suffolk, Virginia; nieces and nephews, Greg Saunders (Sarah) of Winchester, Erin Everline (Todd) of Leesburg, Virginia, Kathlene Courtney (Ian) of Winchester, Logan Welsh (Kelly) of Leesburg, Virginia, Thomas Vaughan of Wilmington, North Carolina, Hunter Vaughan of Carrollton, Virginia and best friends, Peter and Therese Titus of Charlottesville, Virginia.

Along with his parents he is preceded in death by his nephew, Samuel F. Vaughan.

The family will receive friends from 6 pm to 8 pm on Friday at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel.

A celebration of life service will be conducted at 12 pm on Saturday at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel with Pastor David Witt officiating. A reception will follow the service at the Omps Reception Center, Amherst Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made in Satch’s memory to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, Virginia, 22601 or Esther Boyd Animal Shelter, 161 Fort Collier Road, Winchester, Virginia, 22603 or Winchester SPCA, 115 Featherbed Lane, Winchester, Virginia, 22601.