Dwight Gordon Saunders

Dwight Gordon Saunders,82, of Iron Station, NC passed away peacefully at Stanley TLC on Saturday, April 19 surrounded by his loving family. He was the seventh son of Charles Gordon and Flossie Lawing Saunders. Dwight was predeceased by his parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law: Thurman and Joyce Saunders, Charlie and Helen Saunders, R.B. and Betty Saunders, Arnold and Lena Saunders, Herschel and Shirley Saunders, and Jerry Saunders. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty “Kitty" Smith Saunders and sons: Heath (Dawn) Saunders of Roanoke, VA and Clay Saunders of Charlotte NC.  Grace Saunders, his precious granddaughter of Williamsburg, VA also survives him. He leaves behind and was blessed with many special nieces and nephews as well. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Barry (Pat) Smith of Cramerton, NC and sisters- in-law:  Gretchen (Carl) Price of Blacksburg, VA and Marjorie (Bob) Roer of Wilmington NC.

Dwight was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Stanley, NC and served in various leadership roles over the years.

He proudly graduated from Lincolnton High School in 1961.  In 1965, he graduated from Western Carolina University with a BS in Math.  As a member of Theta Xi fraternity, he made many lifelong friends. Dwight joined the Air National Guard in 1968 and left as a Captain in 1979.

Dwight had many interests and hobbies. Having grown up in a family of builders, he enjoyed all aspects of woodworking. His other hobbies included photography, art, and gardening.

As a person with a love of math and technology, and an insatiable curiosity, he was led to a career in trust systems software development for major US banks. When he began working for Trust Management Systems (TMS) in Charlotte in 1970, Dwight found a perfect professional fit. TMS was a pioneer in the field of trust system development. He retired as Vice-President of Tryon Systems, Inc. in 2001.

Dwight was known for his honesty, humor, and dedication to his family and friends.

The funeral service, conducted by Pastor Johnny Norton, will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday in the Woodlawn Chapel of Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly, The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Lincolnton.  Pallbearers will be Clay Saunders, Heath Saunders, Melvin Saunders, Tracy Saunders, Tony Saunders, and Eric Smith. Memorials may be made to  FUMC Stanley - Building Fund, 5481 Hickory Grove Rd. Stanley, NC 28164  or to Parkinsons Foundation, 5757 Waterford District Drive, Suite 310, Miami, FL 33126

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