John Saunders

November 5, 1946 - May 2, 2025

John Lyman Saunders passed away in Lake Havasu City, Arizona with his family by his side. Born in Pasadena to Carroll and Juanita Saunders, John attended South Pasadena schools and graduated from SPHS. While attending PCC John met Judy Mallory at a football game, they dated and later married in June 1968. They had two kids together, son John and daughter Penny.

John was a truck driver for over 35 years and retired in April of 2009. He lived in Temple City for 30 years and moved to Lake Havasu City in 2011 to be closer to family. John enjoyed boating, off-roading, camping and racing cars. His interests included Nascar, trains, classic cars, and watching Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals football games. John loved being a camera man at Penny's sporting events, family gatherings and outdoor adventures. He was also known as 'Johnny Minolta' and had several nicknames which include grandpa, Big John, Poppa John, Johnny Fairlane and Gentle Giant which was his nickname on the CB radio back in the days.

John was a kindhearted man who touched many lives from following his daughter playing sports, to family gatherings at the river, in the desert, and his neighbors in Temple City and Lake Havasu City. He is preceded in death by his father, mother; brother, Robert Swetnam; and wife, Judy Saunders. He is survived by his son, John (Becky) and daughter Penny, three grandchildren, and his pup Angus. John will truly be missed but not forgotten.

Legacy. com, May 7, 2025