Kathy Saunders, the esteemed former Senior Vice President and General Manager of FOX 4 KDFW and KDFI 27 in Dallas-Fort Worth, passed away at her home in California on March 26, 2025. She was a trailblazer in the broadcasting industry, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and excellence.
Saunders dedicated nearly three decades to FOX Television Stations, beginning her tenure in 1995. She served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the FOX-owned duopoly in Dallas for 26 years before retiring in June 2023. Her successor, Jeff Gurley, took the helm following her departure.
Before her influential role in Dallas, Saunders was Vice President and General Manager of FOX 25 WFXT Boston. She previously held leadership positions at KDAF Dallas, where she was Vice President and General Sales Manager before being promoted to Vice President and General Manager. Her career also included roles at WPGH Pittsburgh as National Sales Manager and later General Sales Manager, and she began her broadcasting journey as an Account Executive at KCTV in Kansas City, Missouri.
Saunders earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas. Her contributions to the industry were widely recognized, including being named Texas Association of Broadcasters' (TAB) Pioneer Broadcaster of the Year in 2022 and Broadcasting & Cable's General Manager of the Year in 2019.
A respected leader beyond broadcasting, Saunders was Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association, a member of the North Texas Final Four Local Organizing Committee Board of Directors, and an active figure within the Texas Association of Broadcasters. She also served on the Board of Directors and as Vice President of Resource Development for Girls Inc., in addition to her longstanding support and recognition from the Alliance for Women in Media.
The Cotton Bowl Athletic Association and our Cotton Bowl family join the North Texas community in mourning the loss of longtime CBAA Board of Directors member Kathy Saunders. We extend our condolences to her family, friends and loved ones.
— Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (@CottonBowlGame) March 29, 2025
She was truly #LikeNoOther. pic.twitter.com/ZtusQSwNCK
