Thomas (Tom) D. Saunders, II, 83, of Springfield, Missouri passed away peacefully at home after a long illness on December 7, 2016, surrounded by his family. Tom was born in Parsons, Kansas on December 27, 1932 and the only child of Thomas D. Saunders, I and Helen Milstead Saunders. He met Shirley D. Ballard while attending Missouri University in Columbia and they were married on his graduation day, June 6, 1956. While raising four daughters they became concessionaires at Bennett Spring State Park outside of Lebanon for eight years. In 1975, Tom became the owner and operator of Tom's Wholesale Tackle Company. Before retiring, he was the proprietor of a fishing retail store in Lebanon.
He was proceeded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, and four daughters, Susan Jackson (Paul), Ozark; Sharon Saunders, Willard; Tomi Benedict (Paul), Republic; Trish Kugle (Don), Branson West. Three grandsons, John Jackson, Walnut Grove; Christopher Jackson, Studio City, California; Matt Saunders, Willard. One great-granddaughter, Taylor Jackson, Willard.
Visitation will be at Greenlawn East, 3540 E. Seminole in Springfield after 5 pm on Friday, December 9, 2016. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 pm Saturday, December 10, 2016 at White Oak Pond Cemetery, Hwy 5 South, Lebanon, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fair Haven Children's Home, 3132 North Fair Haven Loop, Stratford, Missouri 65757 and/or Access Hospice, 1440 Hwy. 248, Suite D, Branson, Missouri 65756.