Raymond Orval Saunders

Today we are here to remember and say goodbye to Raymond Saunders. Raymond went by Ray or Sode to all who knew him. We knew him as a husband, father,grandfather, great grandfather and a dear and trusting friend. Ray began his life on August 25, 1916.

At the time of his passing he was 99 years and 4 months old. Ray was the 9th of 10 children born to Charles and Minnie May Saunders. At the time of Ray's passing, he was the last surviving member of that family. Ray stayed very close with his brothers and sisters during their entire lives. Whenever they visited, they would tell stories of the old days growing up. That could go on well into the night, playing cards and talking. They truly enjoyed each other's company and were very close knit. As with all people he knew, Ray would be the first to help or aid someone in need. He was very thoughtful and always kept in mind the needs of others.

Growing up in the Saunders family he came to know good times and hard times. At one point his father was worth and estimated $300,000.00. That was a rich man's worth in the early 1900's. His father owned three rendering plants in the days before the Great Depression of the 1920's. Though many businesses were failing at that time, his father kept pouring money into the rendering plants and it was a losing battle. Eventually they lost the house and all valuable assets. Times were tough. Some of the brothers or sisters went to live

with their siblings who were older and married.

He learned the value of the dollar at a very young age. One of his very first jobs, as an 8 year old boy, was to run milk bottles up to the doorsteps of customers for a milk truck delivery driver. Working at that age would be unheard of today. As a high schooler, Ray had been a very good football player. He was a standout defensive back and as the result of a very hard tackle he made, he suffered a broken cheek bone.This injury would bother him off and on for the rest of his life. He also did some boxing as a young man and was in the qualifying rounds of the golden Gloves.

With the country in a depression, jobs scarce, and not wanting to be a burden to his family , he decided to enlist in the United States Navy on August 13, 1935. He eventually was assigned to submarine duty at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu , Hawaii. In 1937 he met a beautiful young lady, Julia Gouveia. They met through Julia's sister ,Margie, and her sister's husband, Ross Campbell, a navy sea mate of Ray's. With much love in their hearts, the two eventually married and began a family with their first son, James. James would be

followed later by a son, Douglas, a daughter Sandra and another son Robert in that order.

On December 7, 1941, Ray was returning to Pearl Harbor on a submarine named "The Plunger". At that time his submarine was 80 miles out of Pearl Harbor and was machine gunned by a light Japanese bomber. World War 2 had begun. Since then he was to be on patrol duty in the Pacific and Asiatic Campaigns. He was awarded the Silver Star, the nation's second highest military honor. Second only to the Medal of Honor. He was decorated personally by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander of the Pacific Fleet and one of

our country's great military leaders. He received citations for gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy in lines of his profession as Chief Torpedoman's Mate and Senior Petty Officer during patrols in enemy controlled waters. At one point his submarine was in Tokyo Bay, the heart of enemy territory. They lay on the bottom of the ocean and at some point rose to sink two enemy ships and caused severe damage to two others . They were able to get out of the harbor before the enemy nets were dropped thus avoiding possible capture or death. Submarines that he was on were the subject of bomber attacks and depth charges being dropped toward them by enemy ships. He served in the Pacific, "Asiatic", the Atlantic and "American Theater Campaign" during the War. Thus four campaign patrols.

In addition to the Silver Star and Navy Cross, he received the Navy Unit Commendation (5 stars),Submarine Combat Pin (5 stars) ,American Defense Medal ; Atlantic-Pacific Medal : World War 2 Victory Medal; National Defense Medal; 5 Letters of Commendation and Korean Service Medal. He was a true War hero and American Patriot. Besides submarine duty, he also later served on a destroyer escort and a naval ordinance mine unit. His tours of duty took him to Honolulu, Hawaii, San Diego, California, Mare Island, California and Key West , Florida. He spent 24 years in his country's service and about 12 years of that was foreign/sea service.

Time passed on and on June 30, 1959 Ray retired from active military service. His oldest son, Jim, had graduated from school and had left to stay with relatives in California where there were better job opportunities. The other siblings were getting older and Ray and Julia decided to move to California where other members of Ray's family had gathered. He went into business with an older brother for a few years and then settled into a lock and key business of his own. Later his son Bob would join him in that business.

In later years Julia was in failing health. She passed on July 11th, 2002 leaving a deep hole in all of our hearts. She had a smile for everyone and never a bad word. Several years later Ray's health began to fade. Ray always had a word of encouragement, a deep caring and genuine interest in all of his family. Both Julia and Ray were taken care of by daughter Sandra for many years. Better care a parent could not get anywhere.

Ray is survived by son, Jim, son Doug, Daughter Sandra and son Bob. he is survived by 12 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

His loss is greatly felt by all. He was the Rock in our lives. Always caring and ready to help.God Bless you Dad. You will be in our minds and hearts forever.