Larry is currently senior partner of Larry Saunders and Associates in Louisville and is a retired State Senator.

In 1998 he was named Irishman of the Year by the Louisville Chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and awarded Honorary Doctor of Business Administration at Sullivan College in 1999.

SAUNDERS, LARRY L., 71, passed away Sunday, November 21, 2010 at Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital.

Larry was proud of his Portland heritage. He graduated from Shawnee High School in 1960, where he was later inducted into their Hall of Fame. After his father's death he ran the family Saunders and Sons Roofing Business while attending the University of Louisville undergraduate then Law School, where he received his degree in 1977.

He retired from the State of Kentucky after serving many years as Jefferson County Prosecutor and the District 37th Senator from 1986-1988 and 1993- 2004. He was president of the Senate 1997- 2000. He was then the self-employed owner of Larry Saunders Law Office, a member of the Bar Association, the John A. Kennedy Democrat Club, Pat Greenwell Democrat Club, Knights of Columbus, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, a Hibernian and the Irishman of the Year. He also was a real estate broker and a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church.

Larry is survived by his wife of 48 years, JoAnn Kennedy Saunders; daughter, Terry Cardwell (Fred); grandson, Treigh Cardwell (Meagan); granddaughter, Paige Cardwell; a great-granddaughter, Addison Cardwell; a brother, Kenny Saunders (Joyce); sisters, Jean Keidel (Joe) and Nancy McClanahan (Charles); and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous friends.

The funeral Mass is 10 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 7335 Southside Dr., with burial in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation is 2-8 p.m. Tuesday at J. E. Ratterman & Son, 7336 Southside Dr.

Expressions of sympathy are directed to the Shamrock Foundation or Alley Cats.