’23 years and 308 days’: Family remembers Jack Saunders’ life and community impact

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Jack Saunders, 23, was a familiar face at Texas Inn -- not just as the son of owner David Saunders, but as someone who made the restaurant his second home.

David Saunders said his son could often be found in the back corner, studying, chatting with staff and sharing his love of the place his father owned. He said that barstool now sits empty.

"He just lost focus, I guess, for a split second, and that's the tough part," he said. "Things can end at any moment. We didn't find out until early hours in the morning, Saturday."

Jack Saunders, a first-year law student at the University of Richmond, died on Nov. 7 in a motorcycle crash. Chesterfield police said he veered off Otterdale Road and hit a tree.

JMU graduation pictures of Jack Saunders at Texas Inn in Virginia. (Photo: David Saunders, Texas Inn)

JMU graduation pictures of Jack Saunders at Texas Inn in Virginia. (Photo: David Saunders, Texas Inn)

JMU graduation pictures of Jack Saunders at Texas Inn in Virginia. (Photo: David Saunders, Texas Inn)

"The worst phone call you ever want to get," David Saunders said. "They say that a person dies twice. The second time that person dies is when someone no longer mentions their name."

In honor of their son, the Saunders family has launched the Jack Saunders Memorial Scholarship Fund to help future law students.

"He got, like, an Ivy League LSAT score, but he didn't want to go anywhere else. He wanted to go to Richmond. He wanted to be here," David Saunders said. "If he set his mind to do something, he did it. He just amazingly packed an enormous amount of life in 23 years and 308 days. He had a genuine love and interest in everybody he met."

David Saunders said support has come from the governor’s office and several Virginia members of Congress.

Jack’s presence at Texas Inn and in the River City community will be remembered, and the scholarship fund ensures his legacy continues.