Richard Mack Saunders, 78, of Kerrville, Texas, passed away at his home on December 19, 2023. He was born in Norman, Oklahoma to Jess and Betty ''Sweet'' Saunders on January 17, 1945. He married Paulette Ruth Saunders on September 24, 1966.

Richard graduated from Midland Lee High School in 1963. From there, he would go on to earn his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Texas Tech University where he proudly graduated in 1968. His professional career as a CPA spanned nearly five decades. He was a loyal and great steward to his profession, truly loving what he did for a living. He owned and operated his own accounting practice for many years as well as in ''retirement.'' Richard's older brother, Sid, credits him with helping him pursue a successful business venture following Sid's retirement from the Army Corps of Engineers in 1995. Notable employers over the years that the family would like to acknowledge include LD Brinkman Corporation and Robert R. Woodward Enterprises. He forged many personal and professional relationships over the course of his career that would lead to many lifelong friendships.

He is survived by his sister, Carolyn Peek; his brother, Sid Saunders; his sister-in-law, Louise Saunders; his two children, Chris and Carey Saunders; his daughter-in-law, Yuri Saunders; and his two grandchildren, Kenlee and Mateo Saunders. He was a uniquely loving and caring provider for his family over the course of his adult life. He truly loved Paulette, the love of his life for over 60 years and he thoroughly enjoyed raising his two sons in the Texas Hill Country as well as spending precious time with his two grandchildren.

Richard was as genuine of an individual as he was practical. He was always a straight shooter who had a wonderful perspective on life while also holding a pragmatic view of the world. His younger sister, Carolyn, who he respected and loved so much, always served as a cheerleader and provided encouragement throughout his life. He had a wonderful spirit and always maintained a terrific sense of humor from the beginning to the end. Those who knew him the best knew exactly how big his heart was and that he was always willing to help those in need. Richard would never make the announcement, but deep down he was a ''Big ol' Teddy Bear.''

Richard had many hobbies and interests over the course of his life. He had a particular affinity for outdoor recreational activities and sports. As a child, he grew up playing all the major sports but had a unique fondness for baseball and golf which he would continue to play both competitively and leisurely throughout his life. As an adult, he would play softball in various local leagues until an injury ultimately forced him to step away in his 40's. He dearly loved the sport of baseball for both the competition and the comradery. He would once again find his passion for outdoor sports in the form of golf. He would spend the next three decades playing golf and dedicating at least two designated days out of the week to being out on the golf course bonding with his closest friends and family. His love for golf in the end would be more about the time spent with these close friends and family than it was about the golf itself.

In addition to sports, Richard was an outdoorsman through and through. He loved to hunt and fish. He very much enjoyed spending time with his best friends and two sons while hunting out on the family ranch. Whether it was spending an entire 40 degree day patiently sitting in a deer blind with his sons while waiting on a prized whitetail buck, or sitting in a tree, bow in hand, 300 yards from his best friend while hunting wild hogs, this is what he loved to do. More than anything though, Richard truly took joy in teaching his two sons about nature and all that it had to offer.

Richard was truly a man of great integrity with an even kinder heart. The friendships he has formed along the way will not soon be forgotten. He was a fun-loving family man. His mother ''Sweet'' held a particularly soft space in his heart. He deeply treasured Paulette, his beautiful and wonderful wife of 57 years, as well as his two sons. In the end, he would find particular joy with spending close time with his two grandchildren and the love and innocence that would accompany them.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday December 28, 2023, at Grimes Funeral Chapels, in Kerrville, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday December 29, 2023, at Grimes Funeral Chapels.

Memorials may be given to any charity of choice.

The family wishes to extend our sincerest thanks to Dr. Michael S. Grocki, Dr. Geraldo M. Sioco, and Dr. Charles Roeth, who were closely involved with Richard's care over the years.

Sign Guestbook>>

12 Condolence(s)