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Jerry Saunders

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Dr. Walter G. (“Jerry”) Saunders passed away peacefully on September 1, 2024, at the age of 83 at the home of his children, Stacy and Mike Sweeney in North Carolina, where he was surrounded by the love and care of his family.

A Wyoming native and longtime Sheridanite, Dr. Saunders was born in Laramie and graduated from Upton High School as its Valedictorian in 1959. He later graduated from the University of Wyoming and received his MD from the University of Colorado School of Medicine (1966) and completed a residency at University of New Mexico before and after serving 3 years in the USAF as General Medical Officer and OB/GYN stationed in Anchorage Alaska specializing in obstetrics and gynecology.

After his discharge from the Air Force, he and Jeri returned to Wyoming, selecting Sheridan as their home where he spent decades delivering countless babies.

Upon “retirement” from private practice, he taught other providers in Afghanistan as a member of the U.S. Department of Health and Social Services Constituent and later served as the Director of Medical Education for the University of Wyoming.

Dr. Saunders served his state and local community with distinction and honor as the Chief of Staff Sheridan Memorial Hospital (1980-1982), President of the Wyoming Medical Society (1984), Member and later President of the UW Board of Trustees, Board of Directors Sheridan YMCA, Member of the Board of Directors at First Federal Savings Bank, Chairman of the Prison Task Force, 1990, and Elder at the First Presbyterian Church. He was named the Wyoming Physician of the Year in 1986, honored with the AH Robbins award from the Wyoming Medical Society, and selected as a UW Distinguished Alumnus in 2007. Dr. Saunders was a humble servant.

Dr. Saunders led a full and active life, always embracing the Wyoming outdoors and was an enthusiastic supporter of Sheridan High and Wyoming Cowboy sports. He spent many hours in the bleachers home and away cheering for his favorite teams.

An avid outdoors-man, Dr. Saunders enjoyed all Sheridan and the Big Horn Mountains have to offer from golfing, hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing and back-country backpacking. His hole in one at the Powder Horn was a proud day. Dr. Saunders also enjoyed world travel visiting many European countries, taking a Holy Land pilgrimage and fulfilling his last bucket list trip to Ireland, Scotland and England in 2019 with a special stop at St. Andrews golf course.

Jerry’s last four months of life were spent in North Carolina, surrounded by his family, including great-grandchildren who lovingly call him “Old Papa.” While in North Carolina he enjoyed outings to the mountain and state park trails, ball games, picnics, laughing, joking, reading, playing with dogs and connecting with his out-of-town family via FaceTime.

In his words, he was “eternally grateful” to spend his last days in the home of his family. He loved being part of a family again and not being alone. His last outing was to church, where he enjoyed one last communion with his family.

Dr. Saunders is survived by his daughters and their husbands: Brenda & Kent, Wendy & Adam and Stacy & Mike; 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; his sister, Sue Martin (Doug) and his brother-in-law Bill Mangus. He is also survived by his second wife, Myrna, and her family.

Dr. Saunders was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years and high school sweetheart, Jeri Belle (Wilmot), his parents, brother and in-laws.

Dr. Saunders’ daughters would like to thank all those who visited and cared for him while he lived in Sheridan and in North Carolina.

Military Honors will be held on Memorial Day, 2025 at Kane Funeral Home.

In honor of Dr. Saunders’ wishes, a private inurnment will take place with his loving wife, Jeri in the Columbarium at the First Presbyterian Church.

Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com. Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

10 Comments

10 Comments

  1. Avatar photo

    Jan Brynell Golden

    September 7, 2024 at 8:55 am

    I enjoyed working with Dr. Saunders in his office. He always had such a caring concern for his patients.

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    June Simon

    September 7, 2024 at 11:44 am

    Remembering Jerry’s young family when they first moved to Sheridan. Sending, love, care, prayers and thoughts to all of his family. He lived a beautiful life with a wonderful family.

  3. Avatar photo

    The Motsicks

    September 7, 2024 at 1:47 pm

    Myrna,
    Our heartfelt condolences! We all witnessed your love and devotion to Doc. Prayers of peace and comfort for you! 💕

  4. Avatar photo

    Linda Benth

    September 7, 2024 at 5:51 pm

    It was such a privilege to work with Dr. Saunders in OB at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. I worked with him from 1975 until he retired, and it was a sad day when he did. He always responded to the nurses with kindness and respected their assessments and opinions. He bolstered their confidence and promoted their autonomy by willingly sharing knowledge and developing those working relationships. I can honestly say he was one of the best physicians I have ever worked with. The world was a better place with him in it. He will be missed.

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    Eileen Magelky

    September 7, 2024 at 8:42 pm

    Such a great guy!! Very sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful Doctor and so easy to talk to. He will be missed by many.

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    Cindy Butler

    September 8, 2024 at 1:40 pm

    Deepest sympathies to all the family. Your dad was a great man and doctor. He will be greatly missed! 🙏🙏🙏🙏

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    Trudy Brooks

    September 9, 2024 at 3:44 pm

    Condolences to Doctor Saunders Family. He will be missed by all who knew him.

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    Kerin Kinzer

    September 9, 2024 at 7:37 pm

    Myrna,
    I’m so sorry for your loss.

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      Bonnie Tietjen

      September 10, 2024 at 11:19 am

      I’m so sorry to hear this sad news. He was my doctor for 20 years and was always so
      compassionate. My deepest condolences to his family.❤
      Love and Prayers,
      Bonnie Tietjen

  9. Avatar photo

    Cheryle Guth

    September 12, 2024 at 1:48 pm

    Dear Myrna, Guy and I have never seen a more loving and fun couple as you and Jerry were. You made Jerry shine and laugh and gave him a wonderful second chance to love. And he did that with you. Your devotion when he entered Green House Living was amazing…holding hands during lunch with him, spending your days with him, nobody could’ve had a better spouse and caregiver. Our hearts ache for your loss of such a kind and accomplished man.

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