Dr. Gary Joe Saunders
(August 13, 2012)

On August 13, 2012, Dr. Gary Joe Saunders, Professor Emeritus from Marshall University, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at his home. He was the tenth child of Stephen and Fern Davis Saunders. Gary began working at the age of 13. Over the course of his life, he worked for 59 years. He began by delivering newspapers, then moved on to work at Murphy’s drug store. He was employed by INCO for a number of years while he was attending Marshall University. Gary received his B.S. degree from Marshall in 1964, his MBA from Marshall in 1974. From there he attended the University of Kentucky where he received his Doctorate in Business Administration in 1977. He taught at several universities before returning home to Marshall as a Professor in 1990 where he taught accounting for the next twenty-one years. He retired in December 2010, ending his tenure where he began it. During his thirty-three years as a university professor, he published over fifty articles in various accounting education journals. He created an accounting simulation program that would teach his students to make real world decisions. His simulation, names COPE, has been used by numerous colleges and universities. His goal was to educate students to be able to operate well outside the classroom. He received many prestigious awards during his tenure. One of these awards is the MU Distinguished Artists and Scholars Award for the year 2000-2001. Another award is the Lewis College of Business Outstanding Researcher Award in 2004. He was also given the Outstanding Accounting Educator Award for 2006 presented by the West Virginia Society of CPAs. Gary loved the Lord. He was a member of the Rock of Ages Church in Guyandotte. He attended First Baptist Church of Proctorville. Gary also loved children. When he saw a child in need, he would buy them shoes or food or whatever they needed. Gary is survived by his wife of thirty-nine years, Ruth Barnett Saunders; a son, Gary Alan Saunders of Proctorville; a daughter and granddaughter, Kimberly Tickett and Rebecca Tickett of Barboursville, WV; a foster son, who he loved like a son, Joshua Corban of Canton, OH; and an “adopted” son Michael. He is also survived by sisters, Ora Mae White of Proctorville, Anna Sellards of Huntington, and Mary Thompson of Concord, NC; and brothers William Saunders of Chicago, IL and Stephen Saunders of Simpsonville, SC. He also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers, Kenneth and Robert Saunders as well as sisters Viola Burcham, Margaret Callicoat, Carolyn Craft and Betty DeCook. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Gideons International or the Huntington City Mission. Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday, August 16, 2012, at Chapman’s Mortuary, Huntington. Services will be 12:00 PM Friday, August 17, 2012, at Chapman’s Mortuary with Pastor Dale Barnett officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Memorial Park, Milton, WV. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. Gary, I love you and I always will. I would marry you all over again! Thanks for the memories.