Ronnie Saunders, of York County, Virginia, passed away on July 6th, just days before his 77th birthday.
Ronnie was born on July 15, 1949, in Martinsville, Virginia, and moved to the Peninsula as a teenager. He later raised his family in Hampton and lived in York County for many years.
Ronnie had a hard childhood and had to grow up quickly. After his father left, Ronnie became the oldest male figure in the home and helped provide for his mother and four younger siblings, Ricky, Jimmy, Mike, and Jackie. He worked several jobs as a teenager while also helping raise his siblings. He later began his career as an electrician at NASA where he found great success and became a very skilled tradesman. He worked full time in the electrical maintenance department at NASA and eventually became management. He also did side work as an electrician and started Saunders Electric part time in 1975.
Ronnie married his wife, Darlene, in 1970. They had known each other since they were 12 years old. Darlene wanted to start a family, but Ronnie wanted to wait until they had stable jobs and could afford a house. Because of the way he grew up, it was important to him that his own children had a secure home and a better start.
They later welcomed their daughter, Angie Renee Saunders, named after the Rolling Stones song “Angie.” Five years later, they had their son, Kevin Ray Saunders. Kevin spent the first several months of his life at CHKD and continued to face major medical struggles throughout his life. Ronnie worked hard to support his family and make sure they stayed afloat.
Wanting more for his family, Ronnie made the bold decision in 1987 to leave his long-term job at NASA to run his business, Saunders Electric, full time. He built the business with his wife and co-owner, Darlene. Ronnie was known for his incredible work ethic and his ability to build or fix almost anything. Over the years, he proudly built five homes and one commercial building.
One of those homes was his dream house at Lake Gaston. Ronnie first began going to the lake in the early 80’s. He eventually built the lake house he had always wanted and spent nearly every weekend there. Even though he could have been fishing, boating, or tubing, Ronnie was usually happiest in his lakeside shop, tinkering with something or working on a project with his best friend, Bobby Smoot.
Ronnie faced a great deal of loss in his life. He lost Darlene when she was only 50 years old. Just one year later, he lost his son, Kevin, at the age of 25. Ronnie carried those losses with him, but he continued moving forward with the same strength and grit he had shown throughout his life.
Years later, Ronnie met his longtime partner, Susan Akins, while shag dancing. He and Susan spent the next 22 years dancing, going to events, traveling, and enjoying life together.
Ronnie was “Pop-Pop” to his only grandchild, his “Bri-Bri,” Brianna. They shared a love of classic cars, with Pop-Pop owning his 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS and Bri-Bri owning her 1963 Chevrolet Corvair. They attended many car shows together and also shared a love of motorcycles.
Toward the end of his life, Ronnie was baptized and developed an even closer relationship with God. He spoke about being excited to see his loved ones again in Heaven, and his faith gave him comfort.
Ronnie will be remembered as a hardworking man who spent his life providing for the people he loved. He was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle, business owner, builder, and friend.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene Saunders; his son, Kevin Ray Saunders; his mother, Helen Hancock Sanderlin; and his siblings, Jackie Saunders, Mike Saunders, and Jimmy Saunders.
He is survived by his daughter, Angie Cutler, and her husband, Brian Cutler; his granddaughter, Brianna Cutler; longtime partner, Susan Akins, his brother, Ricky Saunders, and his wife, Tracy Saunders; his chosen brothers, Bobby Smoot, Willie Harris, Ron Smith, Jerry Nichols and MANY others; nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, employees, and others who loved him.