Joe L. Saunders

Joe L. Saunders, 71 Lakeland - Joe L. Saunders, 71, was received by the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as he peacefully passed away Thursday, March 12, 2015, from Lewy Body Disease. He was born on December 25, 1943, in Lakeland, Florida. Joe had a passion for cars, racing, clocks, teaching and helping children, and was also an Eagle Scout. He started his career with NASA in Houston but came back to Lakeland to teach seventh grade science at Southwest Jr. High. Joe later spent many years as a property developer both locally and out of the state, and made numerous friends in the course of buying and selling land. Throughout his life, he had a love of cars and spent many days with his family at cars shows and races. He will always be remembered as a loving father and friend to any organization that helped make children""s lives better. We love you and will miss you greatly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Annie L. Griffin and William Curtis Saunders. Joe is survived by his wife of 44 years, Kathleen (Kathy) Cline Saunders; sons, Lee (Tina) Saunders, Richard (Hillary) Saunders, Stephen (Cody) Sullivan, and Donald Sullivan; six grandchildren, Barrett, Ellison, Piersen, Austin, Eli, and Riley. Memorials may be made to Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Boys and Girls Club of Lakeland. Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2015, at 1:30 with a service of remembrance and life celebration beginning at 2:30pm at Heath Funeral Chapel, 328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland. THE LIFE CELEBRATION WILL BE CASUAL LIKE JOE. PLEASE WEAR YOUR FAVORITE CLASSIC CAR SHIRT IN HONOR OF JOE""S LOVE FOR CARS! Service: 03/21/2015 Heath Funeral Chapel 328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801 Heath Funeral Chapel Visitation: 03/21/2015 Heath Funeral Chapel