Tommy May Sanders

A visitation for Tommy will be held Friday, November 11, 2022 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Mead Mortuary, 36930 Irwin Rd, Barstow, California 92311. A chapel service will occur Friday, November 11, 2022 at 11:00 AM, 36930 Irwin Rd, Barstow, California 92311. A graveside service will occur Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at 11:30 AM Riverside national Cemetery 22495 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, CA 92518

Tommy May Sanders, aka Dad, Pops, (Grand)Papa, Uncle, Brother Tommy, and Mr. T, passed away in Barstow, California, on 1 November 2022 at the age of 80. He leaves behind a legacy of love, service and practical wisdom.

Born in Sumter County, Alabama, to Wiley Sanders Sr. and Annie Hines Sanders, Tommy was a proud son of Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Roll Tide!) who finished his primary education and joined the military as a teenager during the Vietnam War. His war-time decorations included a Purple Heart for combat wounding and a Bronze Star for valor.

During 23 years of active military service, Tommy experienced a world of opportunity and culture. He trained as a firefighter in Monterey, California, and wore “Fly Boy” as his sole tattoo from learning to jump out of helicopters. After service stints in Germany and Korea, Tommy returned stateside and finished his military career as an advanced training instructor of chaparral missile air defense systems at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.

Tommy moved to Barstow in the 1990s and joined Bethany Christian Fellowship, where he was active in service for nearly 30 years, to include leadership roles on the church board, the usher board, and at the grill during cookouts and celebrations. With military discipline, Tommy brought usher marching to Bethany and trained several churches from Barstow to Long Beach in usher best practices.

Along with church service, Tommy served Barstow as a proud veteran, co-founding and working as Vice President of the U.S. Veterans Support Group of Barstow. Tommy became a walking encyclopedia of military benefits, and he’d reach into his own pocket to help a veteran, if needed.

In recognition of his service, the City of Barstow honored Tommy by designating August 19, 2019 as Tommy M. Sanders Day.

Those who knew Tommy can likely still hear his voice saying the many bits of practical wisdom and homegrown humor that got him through life. If, for example, you asked him how he was doing on any given day, Tommy would often say, "I'm blessed by the best and can't be stressed." In difficult times, he would say, "You got to take the good with the bad and keep on pushing." And when asked about his secret to a long life, Tommy would often say, “Ain’t no secret. God isn’t ready, and the Devil don’t want me."

His calm and peaceful passing in his home among his loved ones perhaps served as a sign that God was indeed ready for Tommy to come home.

Preceded in death by the love of his life Alberta Sanders (28 February 1942 to 30 May 2020), Tommy's memory and legacy will now be kept by his chosen children Tammy Sanders (aka GoldenLuca Oake) of Monterey, California, Phyllis Brown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Daryel Adams and Billie Braun of Barstow, California; his sister Ann Thomas of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; his brothers Alonzo Sanders of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Bobby Joe Sanders of Barstow, California; and a host of nieces, nephews, chosen family, church family, fellow veterans, and long-time friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the U.S. Veterans Support Group of Barstow, California: https://usveteranssupport.org/

The Family wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of care, concern and kindness shown during this time. A heartfelt thank you for feeding, checking on and supporting us. Also, a very special thank you to Katie Lozano alongside the nursing and care staff of Charter Hospice. You are all angels masquerading as humans.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.meadcares.com for the Sanders family.