John B. Saunders
John “Jack “B. Saunders, 92, of Catasauqua, PA, died Friday, April 11, 2025, at Arden Courts of Easton, with his family by his side. He was the husband of Louise J. (Jacquemard) Saunders and would have celebrated 67 years of marriage together this coming August. Born in Seneca, Iowa, Jack was the son of the late John H. and Helen (Pederson) Saunders.
After graduating from Lead High School in South Dakota, John served his country in the US Air Force in the 384th Air Refueling Squadron during the Korean War. He graduated from SUNY Potsdam in 1961 with a Bachelor of Education and earned his Master’s degree from Boston College. Jack was a dedicated teacher and retired after many years of service as an Earth Science and Astronomy instructor at Potsdam High School. He and his wife were former parishioners of St. John the Baptist in Madrid, NY, and St. Patrick’s in Colton, NY. He often served as a lector and lay eucharistic minister. Jack spent a great deal of time coaching various sports, including boys’ and girls’ basketball, baseball, and football. He loved golfing, playing cards, striking up conversations with anyone and everyone, and traveling throughout the country, especially taking frequent trips to visit family and New Harbor, ME, as well as Myrtle Beach, SC. Although not formally trained, he was known to break out in song. He even had a little-known talent for yodeling.
He made an impact on the lives of many former students and student-athletes. He often showed a tough exterior, but everyone knew that his softer side was but a smile or a tear away. Above all, Jack was a family man, a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and close friend, and he will be missed by many.
Surviving along with his wife Louise, are his son Richard D. Lutke and wife Becky of Auburn, CA; daughter Theresa Nims and husband Donald of Webster, NY; son James G. Saunders and wife Kelly of Chapin, SC; Margaret Saunders and husband Todd Long of Catasauqua; grandchildren Amie Lutke, Ethan Lutke, Richard Lutke, Stephen Nims, Tyler Saunders, Elena Holder, Danielle Nims, Paige Saunders, Lauren Lightfoot, Madelyn Saunders and Johnny Saunders-Long; great grandchildren Logen, Adrian, Ruthie, Michael, Haley, Maverick, Ava, Aubrey, Delaney and Jett; brothers Robert and his wife Johnnie Lee, James Saunders; sister Helen Marie Goudeau; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Donald B. Lutke; his brother, David E. Saunders and wife Betty; his brother-in-law, Peter Gardner; his sister-in-law, Winifred Jacquemard; his brother-in-law, John Goudeau; and his sister-in-law, Patricia Saunders.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 28th at 10:00 AM at St. Patrick Church of Colton, 4897a NY-56, Colton, NY 13625. A reception/calling hour will be held at Sergi’s in Potsdam from 1:00 – 4:00. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the PCS District, 29 Leroy St., Potsdam, NY 13676, indicating “Jack & Louise Saunders Memorial Scholarship
Brubaker Funeral Home, Inc. of Catasauqua is honored to handle the arrangements.