Thomas Perry Sanders

Thomas Perry Sanders, 78, loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away on August 22, 2022, peacefully in his home due to a long illness. Thomas was born in Portsmouth, Ohio to Gordon and Elsie Sanders on May 7, 1944. 

Tom earned his first of several bachelors degrees from Morehead State University, and completed the very first Masters Degree in Geology ever awarded at Eastern Kentucky University in 1972. He was part of a meteorological team from Ohio State University that studied glaciers in the Alaskan wilderness. He joined the United States Army and proudly served his country as a first lieutenant in an artillery unit stationed in Germany during the Vietnam Era. Tom later returned to school at Morehead State University in 1987 where he earned his teaching certificate and met the love of his life and best friend, Judy Stewart Sanders. He spent the better part of two decades teaching at Green High School and Portsmouth City Schools, sharing his love for chemistry, biology, and the other physical sciences. His enthusiasm for teaching brought him to Morehead State University and Ashland Community College where he taught geology at the collegiate level. Tom was devoted to teaching and celebrated that passion for teaching with all his many students. He volunteered twenty-two years as a Scout Master and a mentor for The Boy Scouts of America. His work with Troop 98 in South Shore touched the lives of many young men and their families. Tom was a member of: The Free Masons, The American Legion, the Kentucky Colonels, and achieved The Boy Scout Council’s highest award, The Silver Beaver for his distinguished service to youths. His volunteer work through scouting, his church, many organizations, and the public schools helped to make his community, his state, and the nation a better place. He was forever dedicated to service and helping young men and women become successful and loving people.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Judy Sanders, his daughter LeAnne Sanders and her husband Duane England, his two sons, Thomas C. Sanders and Frank Sanders, and their wives, Katlyn and Carly. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Alisa Haney, James Sanders, and Luke Sanders, all from Georgetown, KY. He also leaves behind one brother, Gordon Sanders of South Portsmouth, Ky, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be 1 P.M. Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Morton-Hunt Family Funeral Home in South Shore, KY., with Pastor Bob Sweeney officiating. Burial will follow at MT Zion Cemetery in South Shore, KY. Visitation will be at the funeral home Thursday, August 25, 2022 from 5 P.M. until 9 P.M., Friday, August 26, 2022 from 10 A.M. until 9 P.M. and on Saturday from 11 A.M. until the funeral hour.

Honorary pallbearers will be Eagle Scouts of troop 98.

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