John Edward Saunders

John Edward Saunders, 66, of Salem, Virginia, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, August 22, 2026. He was born in Bedford, Va., to the late Florence and Joseph “Spott” Saunders. Those remaining to cherish John’s memory are his “chosen daughter”, Heather Saunders; former wife and best friend, Edie Saunders; sisters in law, Teri Atkins and husband, Rick, Phyllis Preston and husband, Gene, Betty Powell, and Janet Hirunrusme; special nephews, Cameron Atkins (Annie) and Tyler Atkins (Abby); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many lifelong friends. John was elected to his second term on Salem’s City Council in November, of 2024. He first served the citizens of Salem from 2018 – 2021 when he was elected to his first 4-year term on Council. Raised in Salem, John had the unique experience of attending his first three years of high school at historic Andrew Lewis before graduating from Salem High School in 1978, the school’s first year of operation. During his formative years as a student, John got his first look at the Salem Civic Center while playing basketball and ice hockey in the building. The arena would ultimately shape his entire employment career. After graduating from Roanoke College in 1983 with a degree in Business Administration, Saunders was hired as the assistant director of the Civic Center, but his employment at the facility actually began much earlier. At the age of 12, he worked as a part-time laborer and skate guard at the facility and later, while in college, he moonlighted as the arena’s night watchman. From 1983 to 2016, John was instrumental in both the expansion of facilities and the creation of the events at the Taliaferro Complex. Salem Stadium and Salem Memorial Ballpark were built during his tenure and he helped to establish and secure a variety of unique entertainment events for the valley. The Salem Fair, NCAA National Tournaments, Virginia High School League Championships, and the Blue Ridge Music Festival are just a few of the attractions John and his mentor and friend, Carey Harveycutter brought to Salem. John, who also served as the city’s director of civic facilities for 20 months before retiring in 2017, was a founding member of the Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame Board of Directors, a former member of Glenvar Rotary Club, and was a past member of several international, state and local organizations, including the Country Music Association, the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, the International Association of Venue Managers, the Virginia Association of Fairs, the International Entertainment Buyers Association, from which he received a prestigious President’s Award, the Salem Roanoke Chamber of Commerce, was co-founder of the Salem Fair, and was a Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International. The family will welcome friends for a time of visitation on Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., in the Salem Civic Center arena. A Celebration of Life will begin at 6:00 p.m., with Pastor Greg Irby officiating. A reception will follow until 8:00 p.m., also in the Civic Center arena. In honor of John’s love for all things sports, family and friends are invited to attend in casual attire. wearing their favorite sports team jerseys and fanwear. Interment will be held privately at a later date. While flowers are welcome, memorial donations may also be made to the Salem Animal Shelter and the Salem Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 291, Salem, VA 24153. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.