James (Jim) Carlyle Saunders passed away Thursday‚ October 7‚ 2010‚ at the age of 52 from injuries sustained while fighting a grass fire near Haggin Oaks Golf Course in Sacramento‚ California.
Jim was born July 1‚ 1958‚ in Arcadia‚ California. In 1974‚ Jim enlisted with the US Navy as a boatswain’s mate. He served with honor until 1975.
On July 1‚ 1988‚ Jim was hired as a full-time firefighter with the American River Fire Protection District. Prior to that‚ he worked as a firefighter for Sloughhouse Fire Department and was a captain for Jackson Volunteer Fire Department. He was later promoted to assistant chief with the Jackson Volunteer Fire Department. Jim worked at Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District‚ Fire Station 101‚ in the Sacramento community of Arden-Arcade. Jim proudly served his community for 22 years.
From 2002 to 2005‚ Firefighter Saunders held a deputy director position for the California State Firefighters’ Association. He also had a long affiliation with the American Legion and took that one step further by holding a position on the board of directors for the American Legion Post 108 Ambulance Service‚ serving Amador County.
Jim’s last act as a community servant was to donate his organs‚ which has benefited three people. His family and his Metro Fire family are very proud of him.
Jim is survived by his wife‚ Holly Jo Saunders; son‚ Eric Hackett; daughter‚ Rachel Hackett-Hernandez; son-in-law‚ Carl Andrew Joseph Hernandez II; grandchildren‚ James‚ Lucius‚ and Ewan; parents‚ Abe and Alice Saunders; three sisters‚ Colleen Saunders‚ Kathleen Saunders‚ and Diana Calman; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends.
I miss you so much. I feel as though we started to get to know one another, then you were pulled away from me. I love you so much my brother.
Love you always
– Colleen SaundersYour sister
Colleen