Nicholas Neil Saunders, 22, of Herriman, Utah was called home to his Heavenly Father on April 6, 2020. Nick was a giant of a man in many ways; he was 6’6” with giant sky-blue eyes, a giant laugh, and a personality bigger than life.
Born November 11, 1997, in West Jordan, Nick was born with incomplete feet and a shortened clubbed left hand. From one year old, he was a double amputee at the ankle joint, but soon after surgery, he was running on those stumps like it was no big deal, and shortly after that, he was walking with prostheses. Nick loved to swim, and at age three, he could swim the width of the pool on his own. Nick was a shining example of defying society’s defining limitations. He ran, played sports, rode bicycles, danced and loved to play games with his family and friends. He was unstoppable!
One of the happiest periods in his life was his time at Herriman High School, especially his senior year and playing with the Rugby Club. These boys took him in and treated him like a brother. He was never able to participate as a contact player because of the rules prohibiting his prosthetic legs in any official match, but he still became an integral part of the team as they journeyed their way to win the state championship.
Nick treasured spending time with his dad. Weekends playing paintball and Jeeping were shared passions of this duo. Together they worked hard learning how to work on cars as Nick customized his Jeep that he bought and built with his own money and his own hands. Nick and his dad spent countless weekends together in Moab and the St. George areas.
One of the biggest role models in Nick’s life was his Grandpa Neil. From Saturday morning breakfasts, running errands, and eating ice cream, the two of them loved spending time together, and they referred to each other as “Pete” throughout Nick’s whole life. It was also clear that he had a spiritual connection with his Grandma Joyce from the moment he was born. She would always tell people he had an old spirit, and that was evident early on. As a result, Nick would never agree to sit at the kids table. He had to be with the grown-ups.
Everyone that met Nick loved his charm and could feel his strong spirit. He created lasting and numerous memories with everyone he met, and he remembered them all! He was far from a shy individual, not afraid to talk to anyone and everyone. He always owned up to his unique appearance and was happy to spend a teaching moment with kids that didn’t understand what they were seeing. His wit, sense of humor, and especially his laugh will forever echo in our hearts. When people were laughing, it was important for him to laugh even louder. That's just who he was. His personality is bigger than this life can handle.
Nick was a proud Eagle Scout, priesthood holder, gamer, big brother, nephew, cousin, friend, grandson, and son. Nick was a spiritual person, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His giant spirit has finally found peace and is free from the pain and struggles of his earthly body. He now walks tall, unassisted with 2 FEET and 2 GINORMOUS HANDS. Although our loss is huge, we are at peace knowing he is no longer bound by the physical and mental limitations and pain he suffered in his physical body.
Thank you to the thousands of people that met him, showed him kindness, laughed at his jokes, shared their struggles with him, and took the time to smile and to say hello. You all made his life a little brighter and showed him he mattered. We thank you all for helping him understand what a legacy he is.
Nick is survived by his parents Tim and Heidi Saunders, his brother Brady and his sister Alyssa. He is also survived by grandparents, aunts, uncles and many cousins. He is preceded in death by his beloved baby sister Lyla, and his great-grandparents.
Because of the COVID-19 virus there will be a private graveside service on Friday, April 17th. Those who wish are invited to honor him with a drive-by graveside tribute from 1:00-3:00 pm at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park South Valley, 13001 South 3600 West, Riverton, Utah.
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