Alfred "Bud" W. Saunders, Jr.

Alfred “Bud” W. Saunders Jr. peacefully passed away on August 8, 2024, at his beloved home on Church Hill Road in Myersville with his wife of 63 years, Judith “Judy” Anne Carl Saunders by his side.  Born in Baltimore, Maryland August 31, 1938, to Alfred Wilbur Saunders, Sr. and Rose Catherine Shorter Saunders, Bud was the fifth of seven children and the first son.  He was raised in the inner city but enjoyed summers on his uncle’s farm in Southern Maryland.  These summers cultivated a love of the land and skills to manage it.  After high school he served in the U.S. Army as a military police officer.  Following this honorable service, he married his high school sweetheart, Judy.  She and her family had relocated from Maryland to Florida.  Bud joined her there and they began a life together that led to events neither of them could have imagined at that point.

Bud graduated from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida with a bachelor’s degree and later received a master’s degree from Frostburg State College, now Frostburg State University, in Maryland.  He accomplished both his undergraduate and graduate degrees while working full-time and going to school at night. While in Florida, Bud and Judy joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints becoming “Mormons.”  A primary tenet to this faith is the eternal nature of families.  He chose to be sealed to his wife to whom he was completely devoted and the 11 children he welcomed into his life for “time and eternity.”  He was an active member for the rest of his life, serving in many roles and performing countless acts of service.  The years as an ordinance worker in the LDS Washington D.C. temple were especially meaningful to Bud.  Together, Bud and Judy were service missionaries in the Baltimore area.

While in Florida, Bud and Judy expanded their family of two to four by adopting their first children.  In 1969 the family moved from Florida returning to Maryland.  They found five acres on Church Hill Road in Myersville, Maryland and built a home on that property.  This became a home and respite for the rest of his life.  He worked for many years as a quality engineer and ultimately retired from IBM/Lockheed Martin. He provided for his family that grew to be quite large by any standard.  This support included the basics, of course, but also costs associated with both domestic and foreign adoptions, treatment for serious medical conditions, typical and atypical childhood injuries, participation in sports and music lessons, and all the gasoline necessary for driving from a home in rural Maryland to places all over the state. 

Bud used his finance degrees professionally, to manage the family’s fiscal health, and in his church service.  He was the financial clerk for the LDS church for many years.  He also was given the responsibility several times to lead fundraising efforts for church buildings in the Frederick area during years this was the Church’s practice.  Initially meeting in rented space that was a civic center, he contributed to the work of finding land, building of the first phase then again for the second phase of the church at that location and when this building was sold, the construction of another building which ultimately expanded to the current LDS stake center in Frederick, Maryland.  Many people still benefit today from Bud’s past service. 

At home, Bud built barns and put-up fences on the hilly, rocky land to keep all sorts of animals like goats, cows, pigs, chickens, rabbits, ducks, and geese.  He loved the donkeys, particularly Bernard!  There were dogs and cats, too.  For decades it was the dogs he cherished, but cats with strong personalities captured his heart in later years.  Big gardens and some of the animals helped to feed the family.  Bud enjoyed the land immensely, even though it was a lot of time and work to maintain.  He chopped wood for many years to save on costs to heat the family home.  He loved to ride around on his tractor – mowing the field and lawn, plowing the garden and snow, hauling hay, even driving in parades.  His kids often worked alongside him and learned from his example.

Bud had his own brand of humor.  Lots of sayings and nicknames.  While seemingly insensitive at times, this practice was with affection, humor, and without any malice.  His kind heart had a somewhat gruff exterior.  He spoke fondly of and enjoyed associations with long-time friends from church, work, and the community.  Each of his kids had different experiences and holds their own unique memories of him.  The skills and wisdom learned from him varies from person to person.  But a consistent theme is all learned the value of hard work.  Bud lived a life devoted to family, faith, service, hard work, and integrity.  He is profoundly loved!  He is already sorely missed!  Bud Saunders leaves a legacy of a large family, diverse in every way, who loves and respects him and knows their father and husband loves them.

Bud is survived by his wife, Judy and nine of his eleven children and their families, Jen (Bruce) Gundersen and grandson Zack (Ali) Bean; Roan (Kristen); Joy and granddaughter, Bria Roberts; Chad; Matt; Molly (deceased) and granddaughter Elizabeth; Noel (deceased); Abigail (Ryan) Godfrey and grandchildren Joshua, Makai, and Audrey; Brig (Trinette) and grandchildren Haley (David), Mackenzie, Kennedy, Peyton, Brigston, and Broghan; Reed (Marijo) and granddaughters Quincy, Marley, Hattie, and Roxy; Joan (Joshua) Orchard and grandchildren Janiah and Caleb.  He is also survived by his sister Ethel “Toot” and brother Tom.  In addition to a son and daughter, Bud is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Rose, sisters Margaret, Rose “Sunny”, Mary Francis “Chick”, and Cathy.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, August 16th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel, 1811 Latham Drive, Frederick, Maryland 21701.  Viewing at the same address from 1-3pm, with service at 3:30 pm.  Interment immediately following at Harmony Brethren Cemetery, Myersville, Maryland.  Services being handled by JL Davis, Smithsburg.  Individuals wishing to send flowers are invited to have them delivered to the church between 11 am – 1 pm on the day of the funeral.