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Kenneth Ray Saunders

1960 - 2016

Kenneth Ray Saunders obituary, 1960-2016, Cortez, CO

BORN

1960

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Ertel Funeral Home

42 N Market St

Cortez, Colorado

Kenneth Saunders Obituary

KENNETH RAY SAUNDERS

Funeral services for Kenneth Ray Saunders of Cortez, Colo. are scheduled at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at the Lewis Arriola Community Center. Kenneth was born April 22, 1960 in Cortez, Colo. He passed away May 24, 2016. Kenneth was the only child of Lavena E. (Gardner) Saunders and John R. Saunders Jr. Kenneth truly was a gift from God to his parents. No son could ever have loved his Mother as much as Kenneth loved his. He was and always well be his Mother's precious "Little Man".

Kenneth attended high school in Cortez until joining the Air Force in December 1978. Kenneth returned home to Cortez after his service. He then decided to move to Phoenix, Ariz. to pursue his education in Architectural Drafting for which he excelled and completed in 1984. He went on to further his education in Computer-Aided Drafting and worked for the architectural firm Knorr and Hedrick in Phoenix, Ariz.

While living in Phoenix, Ariz. Kenneth met Tina Brown on a blind date on November 6, 1987, from this blind date a great love grew. Ken and Tina moved back to Ken's hometown, Cortez, in April 1990 and were married on September 15, 1990. Ken and Tina never had children but many beloved dogs came into Ken's life, which brought him ultimate joy. His dogs were his children and he loved each one with all of his heart.

Upon returning to Cortez Ken worked for the National Recourse Conservation Service several years before leaving in 2008 to help his Mother with farming. Ken loved the outdoors and took great joy in spending as much time as possible at his cabin in the mountains where he felt most at peace.

Kenneth is survived by his wife of almost 26 years, Tina; Mother Lavena Saunders; cousins, Harry Rogers of Arriola, Colo., Michelle Welsh (Andrew Eatmon) of Boulder, Colo., Kim (Hutch) Hutcherson of Willowbrock, Ill., and Pam Skubic of Shorewood, Ill; sisters-in-law, Annette Brown and Tammy Hermaneck both of Phoenix, Ariz.; as well as by two nephews Scott Moore and Holden Rader both of Phoenix, Ariz. Ken is also survived by his dogs, whom he loved with all his heart, Leggs, Dodger, Jewell and Baby. Ken is survived by many other family members and wonderful friends.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his father John R. Saunders Jr.; grandparents George and Jewell Gardner, Thomas and Girtha Saunders; aunts and uncles, Mona and Wayne Rogers, Nola and Wendell Welsh, Wilma and Jack Smith, Howard and Joan Saunders, and Tom Saunders; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law Clifford and Jean Brown.

Ken was an animal lover and was always willing to take the dogs no one else wanted and make them his children. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Cortez For Pets Sake Humane Society or a charity of one choice.

Services are under the direction of Ertel Funeral Home. To send condolences, or to view the full obituary, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Journal on May 27, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Saunders

Sponsored by Ertel Funeral Home.

Not sure what to say?





Vanessa Aoun

October 12, 2016

Dearest Enie. I cannot believe my childhood friend is no longer here. I still have the doll and wooden bed he gave me when we were 7 years old. I have thought of Kenny many times through these many years. It was my hope to be able to see you and Kenny in a few years. I will do m best to come see you. I will always remember my friend Kenny,you and the kindness you showed my Dad and Mom all those years and I remember the times Kenny and I spent with your Mom Jewel. God Bless you and give you his Peace. Love to you. Vanessa (Sword). Marvin and Poca's youngest. 🙏

Vanessa Aoun

October 4, 2016

Dearest Enie. I cannot believe my childhood friend is no longer here. I still have the doll and wooden bed he gave me when we were 7 years old. I have thought of Kenny many times through these many years. It was my hope to be able to see you and Kenny in a few years. I will do m best to come see you. I will always remember my friend Kenny,you and the kindness you showed my Dad and Mom all those years and I remember the times Kenny and I spent with your Mom Jewel. God Bless you and give you his Peace. Love to you. Vanessa (Sword). Marvin and Poca's youngest. 🙏

Martha Hannigan Rivas

July 24, 2016

Enie, I just found out about Kenny. My heart is breaking, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember when I met him, I was a Junior in High School, he was just home from the military, and was attending Fort Lewis College. He very quickly became one of my very best friends. I will never forget the fun we used to have together, or all the laughs. He will always be a very special part of my heart, and I will never forget him, I loved him very much. RIP Kenny. Love, Martha

Debby & Nathan Barton

June 23, 2016

Lavena and all We just saw the news and are heartbroken for your loss. Nathan really liked Ken and I enjoyed the visits we had with him at the pit or in the store. Our love and prayers are with you.

June 9, 2016

Dear Enie and Tina,
We are keeping you both in our thoughts and prayers. We are so sorry for your loss.
Joe and Susan Keck

Scott Uptain

June 2, 2016

RIP my friend.

Larry & Sharon Sanchez

June 2, 2016

Tina - our deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mike & Cherie McAndrew

June 1, 2016

Praying God will give you strength, comfort and peace in the days and years ahead. Know we love you-

Cindy Green

May 31, 2016

You are in my thoughts and prayers. RIP Kenny. Cindy Green

Randy and Lynda Bouet

May 31, 2016

Tina and Enie, We are keeping you both in our thoughts and prayers. We are so sorry for your loss,

Janet Crawford

May 31, 2016

Tina and Enie, I am so sorry to hear of Ken's passing. Please know you're in my thoughts and prayers.

jeannie klement

May 31, 2016

Enie and Tina, You both know how much I love Kenny so don't have to tell you that.He was such a joy when he came to my house after school. I treasure my visits with all. love you, Jeannie

May 30, 2016

TINA

SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. I JUST READ IT IN THR JPURNAL. I KNOW IT WILL BE HARD BUT I WILL KEEP YOU IN MY THOUGTS AND PRAYERS. LOVE YOU , LEORA

James D. Bohl

May 30, 2016

I have known Kenny for many years and his Mother Enie even longer. Had spent many Wonderful Years working with his Mother and even some with Kenny while helping his Mother. Kenny will Truly be Missed by All But Mostly By His Wonderful Mother as He was the "Number One" in Her Life. Kenny was a Very Thoughtful and Kind Helpful Man. he will "Forever" be Remembered and My Heart goes out to his Mother in her Loss.

Cindy Elliott

May 29, 2016

Tina & Enie,
Our hearts are saddened with your loss, Kenny was a great man.. Our prayers are with you both. Mel & Cindy Elliott

Cindi Klement Karl

May 29, 2016

I am so sorry for you loss Enie. I have great memories of Kenny. He was like another brother to me. I will never forget seeing him eat tacos at our house for the first time. He ate them from the bottom! He was a kind & caring man. The world lost a great man & friend.

Peg Lyon Sherman

May 29, 2016

Enie and Tina, So very sorry for your loss. Peg (daughter of Rex and Louise Lyon)

Jean DeGraff

May 29, 2016

Enie and Tina: I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Jean

Don & Mary Sue Akin

May 29, 2016

Ladies .. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Thinking of you with deep and sincere sympathy.

Leo and Janet Dennison

May 29, 2016

Enie and Tina We are deeply saddened by your loss of Kenny. I enjoyed him so much when he took piano lessons. Not sure if he enjoyed it that much but he was such a good kid with a great personality. May you find comfort in all your good memories.

Tammy Kingman

May 28, 2016

Our prayers are with you Eenie
Patsy, Russ, Chuck, and Tammy Brown-Kingman & Steve Kingman.

jerri frizzell

May 29, 2016

I can remember Kenny from high school. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Jerri Frizzell

Michelle & Andy

May 28, 2016

Dearest Eny and Tina, To know Ken was to love him. I feel truly blessed to have had him in my life, and will forever cherish each and every moment I was privileged to share with him. Having Ken as my cousin has enriched my life so very much, in every way, I'm simply incapable of expressing it in mere words. Our world has been robbed of our own personal glowing beacon of joy, compassion, inspiration, understanding, hope and unconditional love. Ken has always been our angel, now God has awarded him the wings he has always deserved, for all the world to see. Ken, I Love You, and I miss you, deeply, profoundly, and I will continue to mourn your passing every single second for the rest of my life. The world was a Much better place when you were with us. You are missed very, very much.

Kim Nidiffer Percell

May 28, 2016

It doesn't seem so long ago that a group of high school kids hung out together, or we were watching you say your "I do's". My heart is sad, but grateful for the giggles and smiles that I remember. Rest in peace my friend, prayers and love sent to Tina and Eny, may you find peace in the special memories of Ken.

Jeanette Hart

May 28, 2016

Eny and Family: Eny I love you so much and my heart breaks for all of you. I am so sorry for your loss. You are continually in my prayers.

Thayne & Donna Hagelgantz

May 28, 2016

Enie & Tina: Our hearts are saddened by your loss of Kenny. You will be remembered with our love and prayers.

Barbara Roberts

May 28, 2016

Tina, so sorry to read of Ken's passing. Keep the memories.. Barb

Dewayne & Mary Ann Findley

May 28, 2016

We are so very sorry for the loss of your son. I know your hearts are breaking. May he be at peace.

Tammy Neely

May 28, 2016

To the Family do Ken: My sincere condolences.

Steve and Patty Trudeau

May 28, 2016

Tina and Enie, My heart breaks for you both. No words can express how sorry I am. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Like I told you Tina please call me if you need a shoulder. Stay strong and hang on to all your memories you have of Kenny. Love you Both!

Connie McNeill Fisher

May 28, 2016

We we were kids Enie and Kenny used to come to the house and Kenny and I had the best time. I always looked forward to their coming over. Kenny was always in my prayers when he went through his childhood health issues. Now I offer my prayers to his family, remembering fun times as kids. Love, Connie

Alan Lorentzen

May 28, 2016

Eny so sad to hear about Ken broke mine and my mom's heart when we heard about this. If there is anything we can do let us know. Al& Kathryn Lorentzen

Gale Greenlee

May 27, 2016

I am very sorry for the loss of Kenneth.

June Head

May 28, 2016

Enie and Tina: My thoughts are with you in the loss of Ken. May all your fond memories help you through this very difficult time. I'm sorry I will be unable to attend his services. Enie, please let me know if I can help you in anyway.

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Memorial Events
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May

31

Funeral service

10:00 a.m.

Lewis Arriola Community Center

CO

Funeral services provided by:

Ertel Funeral Home

42 N Market St, Cortez, CO 81321

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