James Harvey Saunders

James Harvey Saunders

November 5, 2026, Jesus welcomed James home. Since 1998, the love of his life Joe Ann White Saunders has been waiting for him to join her in Heaven- also awaiting are his parents Jim and Edith and sisters Janet Dowdle and Reva Trevino.

He is survived by his son James H. Saunders Jr., his daughter Jodi Fern Mulligan (Tim), daughter-in-law Lisa Saunders, his sister Kathy Greenwood (James), and sister-in-law Carol White Miracle. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

James was a proud and dedicated “PaPa” to Timmy Mulligan, Billy Mulligan (Melanie), Sean Mulligan, and Morgan Saunders.

James was born June 7, 1936 in Franklin, NC. He had made his home in Pontiac and Walled Lake, MI for 70 years. But his love for the mountains of Western NC never wavered. Until his health would not permit, he made his yearly trips to visit the Franklin family- James and Kathy Greenwood, Jami Waldroop, Jared and Jennifer Greenwood, McCall Sanders, McKayla Sanders, and Brayden Greenwood.

To most he was more like their dad or PaPa. Special niece and nephew Gayle and Jim Scroggs shared many visits, meals, and yard work to help Uncle James.

His favorite place was in Franklin, sitting out at the family homeplace, reflecting on growing up with cousins close as brothers, attending Oak Ridge School, and Franklin High School. He was baptized in the Watauga Creek as a young teenager and joined Ridgecrest Baptist Church. A man of devout Baptist faith, James was a faithful member and deacon of the First Baptist Church of Walled Lake/The River Church. A true prayer warrior to all. He retired after 35 years from Pontiac Motors/GM Proving Grounds. He was an avid golfer and loved to hunt and fish. His pride and joy was landscaping and gardening.

The last two years James has been a resident of The Courtyard at Auburn Hills Assisted Living. A very special thank you for the exceptional care given and much love and appreciation to Breanna Dewberry and Israel Williams.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2026 from 4-8pm at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 5391 Highland Road, Waterford, MI 48327. Funeral Service on Monday at 11am with visiting starting at 10am. Burial in Perry Mount Park Cemetery immediately following.

In memory of James, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital

Obituary is posted as a courtesy of Bryant-Grant Funeral Home