Remembering Tom Sanford
Memorial Service
Tom’s Memorial service was on November 2, 2024 at the Vancouver Community Adventist Church. Special thanks to the pastors, coordinator, sound engineers, live-stream team, and countless volunteers who helped us celebrate Tom’s life.
Tom Sanford found the end of life’s road on August 4, 2024. Alzheimer’s had slowly taken his mind away but not his heart. Tom had a heart for Bonnie, his wife of 58 years, right up to the end and a twinkle in his eye for his family. His heart for young people resulted in impacting the lives of foster children in his own home, intervening for teens in Hood River County’s Jail Alternative Program, and eventually founding Project Patch, which is celebrating 40 years of restoring hope to teens this year. His heart for adventure led him to take the road less traveled in life, literally and figuratively, and his family learned that the journey could be even better than finding the destination. His heart for God made his favorite conversations center on Heaven, and he never lost his ability to pray, even when words otherwise evaded him as the disease took its toll.
Tom was a minister by training but a jack-of-all-trades by interest and necessity, having worked his way through Indiana Academy and Andrews University and then moonlighting on restoring antique automobiles and building many of the family homes. He learned to fly to make visitations in his multi-church district in Montana easier, and he then continued using his flying ability to help teens get to far-reaching foster homes. He never turned down an opportunity to take a road trip or go to Alaska, his favorite destination. Throughout his life, he was a cheerleader and champion to those around him and was even an encouragement to other residents and staff in the memory care facility where he spent the last 15 months of his life.
Tom is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his children, Kelly (Sanford) & Chuck Hagele and Craig & Eniko (Molnar) Sanford; five grandchildren: Kara, Audrey, Claire, Caleb & Ethan; his youngest brother, Dale, and sisters, Diana and Beverly, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Happy trails to you, Tom, until we meet again!
Would you help celebrate the life of Tom Sanford by sharing your memories and images?
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I’ve served on various boards through the years, but the PATCH board meetings with Tom were the only ones I always looked forward to. He had a great sense of …
Roger Van Santen
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What a kind man! We were so blessed to have had the time talking together and sharing friends together.Please give our Love to his family! Goldendale Project Patch was such …
Steve and Lanae Johnson
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When Tom called and invited us to join staff at Project Patch I told him that would not even be on a long list of things I would want to …
James Smith
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From the day we read Tom’s book, we knew he was doing a life changing work with project patch. His person experiences as a youth gave him the understanding you …
Terry Mace
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Never met him in person. Read his books with his story. Such an inspiration to me and my family. Blessed by his life. Well done good and faithful servant.
Dena Meigs
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Tom was 1st & foremost a wonderful friend of the family! Always caring and happy! We lived in Mosier, OR. and went to the Hood River SDA church!Tom also took …
Tim Pottle
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I was a student at Mt. Ellis Academy when Tom was pastoring in Montana. He came to the academy to speak on occasion. I was inspired by his enthusiasm for …
Steve Walikonis
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I knew Tom’s brother, Phil, and that is how I heard about Tom. Later, I had the chance to visit Project Patch in the 90s and see what Tom had …
Barry Kimbrough
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So many memories over the years we knew Tom and Bonnie, and every one evokes warmth and love and a genuine respect for a couple who did SO much despite …
Maureen and Roger Dowling
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When my beloved Mama (Rita Dixon) was baptized, Tom was in with her and performed the baptism. She told me she was delighted because she knew she could trust him …
Sheri Mc Danie
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Tom was a part of the dementia activity group that I lead. He brought us so much love and joy. He was always cheerful , and had a wonderful sense …
Rhonda Heyn
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Tom was a great story teller. I always enjoyed having Tom and Patch team share their vision at my churches. Great guy. He leaves a big hole to fill. I …
Dan McCulloch
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Tom welcomed us into his life before we even met them. He has always upbeat, quick witted and funny! You could always see God shinning through him. We have and …
Dan & Sharon O’Reilly
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My memories of Tom go back 75 years! Of my four older brothers, Tom was #3. I knew he was going to be a preacher even when we were small. …
Diana Sanford Fitzimons Tull
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I knew Tom and his family when they briefly lived in Almond, WI. I remember that Diana, Dale, Tom, Rick and Phil were some of the nicest people I’d ever …
Nancy Krohn Colon
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I’ve stayed with Tom and Bonnie (foster parents) with their white St Benard dog, Dobbie, in Berrien Springs, MI for almost a year 1967. I’ve attended Special Education for the …
Brian Barbour
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He was a good pastor when we went to church in Ronan, Mt. He baptized our son Harvey there. He used to visit his parishioners. He even helped us put …
Carol Meharry
Remembering Tom Sanford
Memorial Service
Tom’s Memorial service was on November 2, 2024 at the Vancouver Community Adventist Church. Special thanks to the pastors, coordinator, sound engineers, live-stream team, and countless volunteers who helped us celebrate Tom’s life.
Tom Sanford found the end of life’s road on August 4, 2024. Alzheimer’s had slowly taken his mind away but not his heart. Tom had a heart for Bonnie, his wife of 58 years, right up to the end and a twinkle in his eye for his family. His heart for young people resulted in impacting the lives of foster children in his own home, intervening for teens in Hood River County’s Jail Alternative Program, and eventually founding Project Patch, which is celebrating 40 years of restoring hope to teens this year. His heart for adventure led him to take the road less traveled in life, literally and figuratively, and his family learned that the journey could be even better than finding the destination. His heart for God made his favorite conversations center on Heaven, and he never lost his ability to pray, even when words otherwise evaded him as the disease took its toll.
Tom was a minister by training but a jack-of-all-trades by interest and necessity, having worked his way through Indiana Academy and Andrews University and then moonlighting on restoring antique automobiles and building many of the family homes. He learned to fly to make visitations in his multi-church district in Montana easier, and he then continued using his flying ability to help teens get to far-reaching foster homes. He never turned down an opportunity to take a road trip or go to Alaska, his favorite destination. Throughout his life, he was a cheerleader and champion to those around him and was even an encouragement to other residents and staff in the memory care facility where he spent the last 15 months of his life.
Tom is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his children, Kelly (Sanford) & Chuck Hagele and Craig & Eniko (Molnar) Sanford; five grandchildren: Kara, Audrey, Claire, Caleb & Ethan; his youngest brother, Dale, and sisters, Diana and Beverly, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Happy trails to you, Tom, until we meet again!
Would you help celebrate the life of Tom Sanford by sharing your memories and images?
Roger Van Santen
Steve and Lanae Johnson
James Smith
Terry Mace
Dena Meigs
Tim Pottle
Steve Walikonis
Barry Kimbrough
Maureen and Roger Dowling
Sheri Mc Danie
Rhonda Heyn
Dan McCulloch
Dan & Sharon O’Reilly
Diana Sanford Fitzimons Tull
Nancy Krohn Colon
Brian Barbour
Carol Meharry
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