Gerald W. (Jerry) Saunders, 83, of Owensboro, passed away on April 2nd, 2025, at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital.
Jerry is survived by his wife Olivia; three children, Son, Gerald Jr. (Gerry), Daughter, Kendra J., and Son, Kevin B. Saunders; his four grandchildren, Madison, Gerald III (Trey), Ava, and Noah; and two daughters-in-law, Rebecca and Jennifer Saunders.
Jerry and Olivia have lived in Owensboro, Ky for 29 years. Olivia taught middle school science at Owensboro Middle School. Son Gerry lives in Cincinnati Ohio area, and is an engineer and a successful business owner, daughter Kendra is a licensed psychologist, and professor in the counseling department of Millersville University near Lancaster, PA, and son Kevin is a Captain in the U.S. Coast Guard currently stationed in Norfolk, VA.
Born in Mt Lebanon, PA, to the late Milford and Rocena Wilson Saunders. Jerry graduated from Seaholm High School in Birmingham, MI. and earned a BA degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta social fraternity.
Jerry received a J.D. degree from the University of Illinois Law School in Champaign in 1968 and that year was admitted to the Illinois State Bar and the Federal District Court in Northern Illinois. He was also a certified trust financial advisor (CTFA).
During his career, Jerry was a trust attorney for Continental Bank in Chicago, Moline National Bank, later First Midwest Bank, C&S Sovran in Columbia, SC, Owensboro National Bank now BB&T, and Independence Bank in Owensboro. He was on the Board of Directors of Moline National Bank, First Midwest Bank Western Illinois, and the Executive Committee of First Midwest Trust Company, a multi-city trust company. Jerry was a Regional Manager for C&S Sovran and manager of the trust department at Owensboro National Bank. Most recently he served as a trust attorney for Independence Bank in Owensboro until his retirement in November 2016.
Jerry has served as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and President of Estate Planning Councils in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa, Columbia, SC, and Owensboro, KY, and has made frequent presentations during his career.
Jerry and Olivia both enjoyed traveling, and they have visited all fifty states, Canada, and much of continental Europe and England, Scotland, and Ireland. They also spent several weeks in China with a group organized by the Illinois Bar Association.
Being a Casa Advocate with Olivia was something they both found rewarding as it was instrumental in helping children with difficult family situations.
Jerry was a member of Settle Memorial United Methodist Church and involved with and coordinated a Men’s Reading and Discussion Group at the church as well as working with Olivia with Habitat for Humanity and on other projects that helped needy children.
The funeral service for Mr. Saunders will be at 12 p.m. Thursday April 10, 2025, at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, where visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. on Wednesday and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday, all at the funeral home. The burial will follow the service in Rosehill Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Saunders Science Scholarship Fund at Owensboro High School or Settle Memorial United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.
Memories and condolences for the family of Jerry Saunders may be left at www.glenncares.com.