John Paul Saunders

John Paul Saunders, story-teller extraordinaire and number one fan of boy scouting, has left his worn out body behind to go entertain a new audience on his next adventure. Paul was born on November 17, 1943, the youngest child and only son of John William and Stella VanZweden Saunders.

Paul was born, and lived his entire growing up years, in Ogden. He graduated from Ben Lomond High School in 1962. He served an LDS mission from 1963-65 in the Southern California Mission. He married Charlene Reed in 1965 (divorced) and together they had 5 sons: Tim, Mark, Steve, Danny, and Jeremy (deceased). He married Diane Avery in 1980 and together they had 5 sons: Jake, Ben, Sam, John, and Josh. Paul loved all his family dearly – all 10 sons, daughters-in-law, 23 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandkids. His surviving sister is Vaneta Zaugg (Wendell). He was the favorite uncle of many nieces and nephews.

His parents and two sisters, Sharon South (LaVar) and Colleen Marriott (Jim), preceded him in death.

Paul moved his family to Huntsville, UT in 1975 where he loved his parcel of land and all that was produced from it, including his posterity. He worked at Hill Air Force Base for 42 years, retiring in 2009. His most favorite job came after retiring when he worked as a grocery bagger for 3 years at Stop & Shop.

Paul loved the Lord and, as a member of the LDS Church, had a strong testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He, along with his wife Diane, served two missions: One in the South Dakota Rapid City Mission from 2012-2013, the other at the Ogden Bishop’s Storehouse from 2014-16. He also had a great love for boy scouting. He participated on many levels, most often as cub master and scout master earning the Silver Beaver award in 2000.

He had a great love for people and considered all he met a friend. He leaves a huge void in the lives of many.

A viewing will be held Friday, September 8,  2017  from 6 to 8 pm at the LDS Church in Huntsville, 277 S. 7400 E. The funeral will also be at the church on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 2 pm. Interment will be at Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd, Ogden, Utah.