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Searcy Byas Saunders, 61, of Longview, Texas, went home to be with his Lord on June 24, 2008, after a lengthy illness.

Mr. Saunders was a retired electrical engineer, having worked with Southwestern Electric Power Co. in Longview from 1970 until his retirement in 2005. He was a graduate of Louisiana Tech University in Ruston with an electrical engineering degree.

An avid outdoorsman, Mr. Saunders’ love for hunting and fishing can be summed up by a plaque he displayed in his home, “Gone fishing. Be back for deer season.” His love for the outdoors was exceeded only by his love for his Lord Jesus Christ and his family.

Mr. Saunders was a longtime member of Pine Tree Sunrise Lions Club, serving as president of the club on two different occasions.

A member of Greggton First Baptist Church, Mr. Saunders served as a sound technician for a number of years and also was a Sunday School and Church Training teacher in the children’s department several years ago.

During the time his children were involved in the Longview city swim program, Mr. Saunders was quite active in the parents organization that supported the efforts of the team.

Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Louise Saunders of Longview; a son, Jeff Saunders and his wife, Nickie, of New Braunfels, Texas: daughter, Kimberley Young and her husband, Bryon, of Wimberley, Texas; sisters, Marcia Tucker and her husband, Ralph, of El Dorado, and Trisha Nash and her husband, Tommy, of Strong; grandchildren, Rainah, Zoey and Cortlan Saunders of New Braunfels, and Bryson Young of Wimberley; uncles, Jim Saunders and his wife, Louise, of Longview, John Saunders and his wife, Marvene, of Strong, and Bill Saunders and his wife, Ethel, of Hot Springs.

Funeral for Mr. Saunders will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 27, at Greggton First Baptist Church with the Rev. Bobby Moore and the Rev. Marshall Douglas officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Memorial Gardens under the direction of Lakeview Funeral Home.

A memorial service will also be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, at Knowles Baptist Church near Strong with the Rev. Tommy Nash officiating. Strong is Mr. Saunders’ boyhood home.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 9 p.m. today at Lakeview Funeral Home and from 9 a.m. until service time at the church on Friday.

The family suggests that memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, Hearts Way Hospice, Volunteers of the Longview Cancer Center, Centerpoint Cemetery, and the Building Program of New London Baptist Church in Strong.