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Obituary: George Thomas Saunders

Posted at 5:21 PM, Nov 26, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-26 19:21:09-05

Obituary: George Thomas Saunders

Surrounded by members of his family, Great Falls resident George Thomas Saunders, 68, died November 15, 2018 at Providence St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, MT following a heart attack and complications from quadruple bypass surgery.

A vigil service will be held Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. The funeral liturgy will be Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. also at Holy Spirit. Arrangements have been made by Schnider Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George’s honor to Meals on Wheels, 1620 12th Ave N, Great Falls, MT 59401 or Montana Trout Unlimited, montanatu.org/donate.

A beloved son, husband, father and papa, George was born on September 20, 1950 in Vermillion, South Dakota to Thomas and Phyllis Saunders. He was the second born of five children, and before settling in Montana, lived in a variety of places around the country as his dad served in the FBI.

George graduated from Glasgow High School in 1968 and later moved to Great Falls to attend college and establish his career in information technology. George graduated from Great Falls College in 1973. He took an entry level job with Buttrey’s and worked his way up to senior management over his more than 20 year career with the company.

After Buttrey’s was acquired by Albertsons, George joined the IT leadership team at the Great Falls Clinic. George retired in 2016, although he had recently begun working part-time alongside his son, in which both found humor and great joy.

George’s care for community and compassion for others meant he spent his free time volunteering for Meals on Wheels, local basketball tournaments, and his church. He also loved the time he spent volunteering for youth sports leagues.

It was in Great Falls that George met a young nurse, Mary Bresnahan. He was smitten from the start, even though she wore her clogs on one of their first dates – fly fishing. Mary was the love of his life. Married 44 years this November 30, George and Mary had two children together, Jessica and Joshua. His family was George’s world.

George and Jessica shared an unbreakable father-daughter bond, which was made even stronger as Jessica grew her own family and George became a papa for the first time. In George’s son Josh, he often saw a reflection of himself. The two were best friends and spent countless days fly fishing together and planning their next adventure. In October, George was made a papa for the second time as Josh welcomed his own son.

George’s life was cut far too short. It’s clear from the outpouring of support and deeply heartfelt condolences the family has received just what an impact George had on his dear friends, neighbors and those who knew him. While his heart of gold could no longer sustain him, George leaves behind a legacy of kindness and love that will forever be cherished. In his last act of kindness, George’s eyes were donated to give someone else the chance to watch their grandchildren grow.

To read the complete obituary and share condolences, visit the Schnider Funeral Home website.