Saunders, originally from Arizona, joined the U.S. Navy at age 17 and served in the Korean War on a destroyer ship.<\/p>\n
He eventually made his way over to Mancos, and about 26 years ago<\/a>, Saunders and his wife Alice purchased the historic Wrightsman House, operating a bed and breakfast there for several years. They also ran the A&A Mesa Verde RV Park and Campground (now Ancient Cedars RV Park).<\/p>\n He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5231, serving in the color guard.<\/p>\n At his memorial service, friends and family recalled Saunders\u2019 joy and gratitude in life.<\/p>\n \u201cAbe was so joyful and never complained,\u201d said Pastor Prentice, adding that the man never failed to brighten his day.<\/p>\n Even in his last weeks, Saunders remained grateful for the life he had led, they said, and was ready to be reunited with his wife Alice, who died in 2015.<\/p>\n His tunes and musical presence have become renowned throughout the town of Mancos.<\/p>\n \u201cI will miss him terribly around town,\u201d local artist and musician Marilyn Kroeker told The Journal<\/em>. \u201cI have the Raven House Gallery in Mancos, and we actually have a designated chair for him to come in and sit and play guitar.\u201d<\/p>\n He used to perform at Fenceline Cider in the afternoons too.<\/p>\n Kroeker visited Saunders in his final days, and said she was honored he had gifted her his bass and amps \u2014 along with the advice to \u201cpractice.\u201d<\/p>\n His 12-string guitar was presented to local singing cowgirl Lynne Lewis, who performed with it at the Saturday ceremony.<\/p>\n And speakers recalled the love he and his wife Alice shared, the music they played together and the work they did together.<\/p>\n Following the memorial service, Saunders was taken to the Cedar Grove Cemetery in Mancos for interment, with military honors performed by the Veterans of Montezuma County. A slideshow with photos from Saunders\u2019 life, shown at the ceremony, will also be posted online on the Mesa Trails Cowboy Church website<\/a>.<\/p>\n