Dad / Papa / Coach

James Warren Saunders, better known as Jim, Dad, Papa, or Coach, at the age of 83, departed this world to Heaven, peacefully in his sleep on December 20, 2021, after having been surrounded by most all of his family and special friends for all of the prior week. Jim's passing was four days shy of his 63rd wedding anniversary to his wife, Carolyn Sue Saunders, the love of his life. A loving father, he joins three of his children in Heaven: Laura-Lyn Saunders who was married to Jeff Breckenridge of Bow, and Robert and Christopher Saunders, infants in California, and his parents John and Opal (Canada) Saunders of California. He is survived by his wife and four children: Pamela of Burlington, Erik (Erin) of Anacortes, Sarrah (Mike Shores) of Burlington, and Greg (Kelli Anderson) Saunders of Stanwood; his many grandchildren of whom he was very proud of: Kristopher Kronk, Tiffany Kronk-Rainard-Hines, Ashley Gorb, Cassey Saunders-Holmgren, Alexandra Saunders-Kinney-Reed, Jacquelyn Saunders-Smith, Ze rick Shores, Tyler Saunders, Morgan Saunders, Noah Saunders, and Katerina Saunders. He was blessed to live long enough to also enjoy his great-grandchildren: Hali, Amey and Jordan Rainard-Hines, Kallie Smith, Kaden Kronk, Trigve Holmgren , Robyn Reed, and Carter Smith . He is also survived by his older and only sister, who was also his wonderful friend, Barbara (Paul Marrazo) who reside in Reno, Nevada. Also left behind are in-laws, and special friends: Charles Sartwell, Jr. of Pacific Grove, CA; Bob (Marlene) Sartwell  of Cupertino, CA; Debbie and Douglas Barnes of Salinas, CA; and cousins, nieces and nephews and other great friends spread across our country.

Jim was born August 24, 1938, in Watsonville, California. He graduated from Salinas High School in 1958 attended both community college and technical college in Sacramento and San Jose, California. At Sacramento JC, he played football and the 1958 team was the co-champs of the Big 8 of the California Division of Junior College Football. Jim was hired by Peterbilt Motors, in Newark, California in their engineering department in 1962. Jim and Sue made their home in Milpitas for 20 years. Jim had always had a dream of living in the Pacific Northwest. When PACCAR, the head division of Peterbilt, made the decision to open an advanced development and testing plant in Skagit Valley he was one of the first 12 employees hired and came to the valley to open the plant in Mount Vernon, in 1982. He retired in 2005 after 45 years with the PACCAR company. As a mechanical design engineer, he was proud of the number of patents that he received while with the company during those years.

Jim will surely be remembered for his love and enjoyment of kids, his own and the many that he coached in youth baseball and football. The best part of his coaching youth sports was enjoying those young people play in high school and college. There was never a dull weekend. His boys also played basketball and soccer. Jim and Sue sat on a lot of bleachers. He was also the father and grandfather and great grandfather of girls who danced, twirled baton, did gymnastics, and track and field, and played basketball, volleyball and softball. He was equally supportive of their ambitions. His design skills came in handy as he was often the creator of his girls' beautiful dance and baton twirling costumes. Jim was an inspiring and supportive role model as a coach, training many to become excellent athletes and even champion baton twirlers. Many also followed in his footsteps to become coaches and athletic trainers for local youth programs or community members

Jim's family time was often spent outdoors. He loved the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and enjoyed camping, hiking, golfing and many motorcycle rides with good friends. With so many athletic grandchildren, Jim was one of their biggest fans at sporting events. He was also a long-time and loyal fan of the San Francisco 49ers and he enjoy their games as well.

As a husband, father and grandfather, Jim was a humble, loving and kind man with a strong Christian faith. He was a member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints. He raised his children to love God, to love one another, to help others and to do good in this life, just as he did.  We are all so grateful for Jim, for his place in our lives and all that he gave to this world.  We will see you again Dad / Papa and we can hardly wait for one of your big hugs.

We all love you so dearly and your legacy will continue on in the family you created with such love, and all the coaches out there that look up to you as their example. Until we see you again, enjoy all your loved ones in Heaven.

To share memories of Jim, please sign the online guestbook and to access his memorial site for future visits, bookmark this direct link: https://www.evanschapel.com/obituary/jim-saunders