Richard Lee "Dick" Saunders, 87, passed away Wednesday, November 24, 2010. He was born in El Paso, Texas May 17, 1923, to Stella Marie and Leonard Eugene Saunders. After graduating from Austin High School in 1940, he went to Texas A & M University where he studied Aeronautical Engineering and was a member of the Ross Volunteers. In 1942 he enlisted in the army and participated in the Northern Solomon and Luzon Campaigns with the 131st Engineer Combat Battalion receiving several medals of service including four bronze stars. He joined the Army Reserves in 1946, and served until receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1953 as 1st Lt. In the 50's, he tried his hand at owning the local baseball team, then known as the Texans, as well as some wildcat oil well drilling. However, he leaned toward construction and development. He owned a lumber yard and built many of the homes in El Paso, including the first four homes in Horizon City. Later, he chose to construct and operate multifamily homes and continued working at this until his death. He was greatly respected throughout the business community in El Paso for his integrity, honesty, and work ethic. During his life, he was affiliated with several organizations including Los Viejos, The Del Norte Club, The Former Texas Rangers Association, The Wild West History Association, and the El Paso Apartment Association.

Richard Lee Saunders was preceded in death by his brother, Lee, and sister, Louise. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Ida, her children and grandchildren, and his children, Karen Brooks, Cynthia Dix, Richard Jr, and Larry, and his grandchildren, Jordan Brooks, Jason Dix, Sean Dix, Brian Dix, Aydan Saunders, and Braxton Saunders, and his great grandchildren, Callie Dix and her soon to arrive brother, and his nephews Buddy Saunders and Richard Saunders along with their families. Dick will be missed by all that knew him.

Funeral Services were held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, December 4, 2010, at Hillcrest Funeral Homes West, 5054 Doniphan Drive, El Paso, Texas. Burial Services will be held on Sunday, December 19, 2010 at 2 p.m. at the Boerne Cemetery on School Rd. in Boerne, Texas. Services under the direction of Hillcrest Funeral Home of El Paso. Local arrangements with Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne.