Jack I. Saunders

Jack Saunders passed away peacefully, April 26, 2005 at home of complications resulting from a malignant brain tumor discovered three months ago. He was 66. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating his life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Robert Byrne presiding. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at Lux Funeral Home on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. and Friday from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. A vigil service will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Visitation continues at the church on Saturday from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jack Saunders Jazz Award (Memorial Gifts, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant MI 48859) or to Hospice of Central Michigan (401 S. Main, Mt. Pleasant MI 48858). Envelopes are available at Lux Funeral Home. Jack was born Nov. 22, 1938 in Muskegon, the son of Clarence and Luella (DAlcorn) Larson. He graduated from Muskegon High School in 1956. In 1960 he earned his Bachelors in Music Education from Central Michigan University. He returned to Muskegon and taught at Muskegon Heights Public Schools from 1960-1963. On Aug. 3, 1963 he married Rosemary Martin at St. Jeans Church in Muskegon. That same year they moved to Mt. Pleasant where Jack continued his studies and eventually received his Masters in Art from C.M.U. He continued his Ph. D. work at Michigan State University. Jack was well known for having been director of the Marching Chips for 35 years, promoting the universitys band as one of the best in the nation. During those years he was also director of Jazz Lab I and professor of the French horn. His talent, devotion and passion for music was an inspiration to those he taught and a gift for those who listened. Some of his favorite pastimes were bowling, golfing, playing cards, listening to jazz music and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Jack is survived by his wife of 41 years, Rosemary; three loving children, Lisa Saunders of Howell; Scott Saunders of Kernersville, NC, and Debra and Barry DeLau of Mt. Pleasant along with their two children, Cross and Hailey; his brother, Ronald and Mary Saunders of Newberry; and two sisters, Peggy Whelpley of Grand Rapids and Merrilee and Mark Ramsey of Solon, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant son, Martin in 1965.