January 30, 1938 – January 17, 2022

Melvin Jackson Saunders was born to Perry Jackson Saunders and Luna Bowman Saunders in Beckley, West Virginia on January 30, 1938, and peacefully passed away at his home in Midvale, Utah on Monday, January 17, 2022.

He was born in Beckley, West Virginia and lived there until he was 5 years old when the family moved to Roanoke, Virginia where he lived and went to school until he joined the Air Force in 1955. He went to school while in the Air Force and became a jet mechanic. After the Air Force, he bought and ran a gas station and mechanic shop. He later started a detail shop and then went on to become the Service Manager for a new car dealership in Salt Lake City, Utah and later for one in Tooele, Utah.

He loved antique cars and won a few awards for his 1949 Plymouth.

A few years after his first wife, Wanda, passed away, he married Junne Charon on August 10, 1996.

He was preceded in death by his father, Perry Jackson Saunders, his mother, Luna Bowman Saunders, his first wife, Wanda Talbot, his second wife, Junne Charon, a brother, Gerald Saunders, a son-in-law, Rocky Charon and a daughter-in-law, Michelle Charon Darby.

He is survived by his sister, Doris (Bill) Rhodes of Virginia, brother, Gary (Kathy) Saunders of Virginia, a step-son, Randy Saunders of Salt Lake City, Utah, daughter-in-law, Shirlene Charon of Riverton, Utah, a son-in-law, Bruce Darby of Riverton, Utah, 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

He was a very loved and gentle man and will be missed by all who knew him.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Memorial Redwood Cemetery, located at 6500 South Redwood Road in West Jordan, Utah.