Steven Alan Saunders

A man of many talents as well as a man of man words. Steve was larger than life itself. He was born in Waukegan, Illinois on May 30, 1960 and passed away on May 2, 2025 in Portsmouth, Virginia. He grew up travelling the world with his parents and brother. He graduated from Pueblo County High School in 1978, where he met his high school sweetheart and current wife, Marianne Lopez Saunders, who survives. After high school, he joined the Navy and honorably served 20 years, being a "plank owner" of the U.S.S. Nassau. He "touched all the continents, except for the Anartic and Austalia." After answering a two sentence ad, he started working for the Navy with the Department of Defense; building the division he worked for as a computer forensic analyst, a career for over 20 years. His devotion and love was for his family, especially for his two children. Steve (Bear) Saunders, his #1( Christie) and Maria Saunders, his mischievous daughter, who preceded him in death. His remaining family were equally important to him to include: his mother, Sue Saunders; brother Jeff (Billy Jo) Saunders, niece and nephew, Kaitlyn steely (Bryson) and Drew Saunders; Tina Lawrence, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He had many friends he considered family as well Derrick Day, Rick Gregovich, Collis Fogle, Pat O'Leary, Paul Lyons, Laura Blake, and Jay Somersall. He was competitive about his Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers ("Fan Since 1976"). He always had a story, a "dad joke" or advice, and he believed in "Lagniappe". He was a music encyclopedia. Beloved as Pappa Smurf (blue hair), Harley Davidson, along with probably a lot of other unmentionables. He is preceded in death by Strat Saunders (dad), and Maria Saunders (daughter). Donations can be made in his honor to the Lyon's Club, Alheimzer's Association, and St. Jude.