RAYMOND A. SAUDER

1926-2018

Raymond A. Sauder of Houston, TX passed away Thursday September 27, 2018 at the age of 91. He was a resident at Colonial Oaks Senior Living at 11395 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77082. A celebration of life service will be held for him and his beloved wife, Barbara Sauder on Sunday November 11, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77079. He is survived by his daughters Gretchen Lynn Sauder and Lair Elizabeth Hoskot. Donations may be made to: Alzheimer’s Association 225 N Michigan Ave Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 www.alz.org.

Ray was born December 24, 1926 in Madison, Kansas to Bess and Aaron Sauder and was the youngest of five children. He had a twin brother Bob Sauder of Emporia, Kansas who preceded him in death.

He enlisted in the Navy during WWII along with his twin brother. At his mother’s insistence he and his twin were stationed together on the USS Boxer in the Pacific Arena. He attended Baker University in Baldwin, KS and Kansas University in Lawrence, KS and graduated in 1950 from Kansas University. He became a Methodist Missionary in Lins, Brazil from 1950-53 teaching Chemistry in the Portuguese language and coached Basketball at the Catholic High School. He returned to the US and entered Kansas University and entered Med School but soon dropped out due to intolerance of seeing human blood in surgery. His first job upon returning to the US was with Mobil Oil as territory Mgr in Johnson County, KS. In 1955 he met Barbara MacLean, a young widow, on a blind date arranged by his sister Carolee Leek. On June 3, 1956 he married Barbara. He became a Ham Radio Operator in 1957 so he would be able to keep in touch with his friends in Brazil, a hobby he pursued until 1995. He joined Spencer Chemical Co in 1961 which merged with Gulf Oil Co in 1965 and he and his family were transferred to Houston. He parted ways with Gulf Oil and then worked for The Crispin Company founded in 1949 which imports oil and gas supplies to the US. He formed his own company Sauder International in 1972 and worked to re-engineer and produce oil and gas from old abandoned Mobil wells in Karnes County, TX until 1992.

He was a founding member of MAM (Memorial Assistance Ministries) and past president. He taught English to many Spanish speaking people and helped them find jobs during his retirement. He was an active member of the Men of Action group associated with Memorial Drive United Methodist Church of which he was a member for 52 years. His hero in life was Albert Schweitzer, a famous theologian among many things who won a Nobel Peace Prize.