Thomas Lang Sands Jr.

Tom was born in Syracuse, New York, on February 6th, 1967 to Thomas and Kathleen Sands. As a teenager, he and his family moved to Texas. At an early age Tom realized his interest in the military. By age 17, Tom enlisted in the Army as a junior in high school and was direct commissioned to West Point. Upon graduation from Cy-Fair High School in Cypress, Texas Tom attended the U.S. Military Academy and graduated in 1989. Two days after graduation, Tom married his best friend, Carin. Despite frequent deployments, Tom was present at the birth of both of his children. His daughters were born while Tom and Carin were stationed in El Paso, TX; Lauren Leigh in 1992 and Dianne Renee in 1993. He affectionately referred to them as his Durls, Two Birds, Chuckleheads, and Varmints, among other terms of endearment. His girls were the light and joy of his world and together they made thousands of memories.

Tom served in the Corps of Engineers, and he and his family were stationed in numerous locations across the U.S. Tom served in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and also served as a Foreign Area Officer and China Specialist. Tom was fluent in Mandarin Chinese and he and his family were stationed in both Singapore and Hong Kong. After an accomplished military career of 30 years, including the decoration of a Bronze Star, Tom retired from the Army in 2014 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Tom and Carin then moved back to their home state of Texas, settling in Sugar Land. After a brief foray in the private sector, Tom achieved a lifelong dream when he made the bold choice of pursuing his Pilot’s license at the age of 52. The past year has been one of the happiest times of Tom’s life – he got up every morning excited for the day’s opportunities – as he was gratified in his new career, family life, and spiritual life.

Tom lived life with passion and enthusiastically pursued his interests, which included music, food, sports, travel, scuba diving, languages, Knights of Columbus, competitive running, beer brewing, boating and fishing. These were regular fixtures of a life lived with intention. He was simultaneously an intellectual and a total goofball. He was serious and meticulous, but easy-going and fun-loving. And he never quit being a dream chaser even in his 50’s. His absence leaves a void in the hearts of all those who knew him.

Above everything, he was devoted to his family and constantly strived to lead by example, support them in all ways, serve God, and earn eternal glory in Heaven.

Tom was preceded in death by grandparents Albert and Frieda Sands, Robert and Jean Kiester, and his aunt Debbie Inebnit.

Living to carry on his legacy of love and generosity are his wife of 32 years, Carin; his daughters, Lauren Weiss (Nathan), and Dianne; his granddaughter Eleanor Weiss; brother Robert Sands (Lena); parents Thomas Sands Sr. and Kathleen; Brothers-in-law Greg Chilson (Monette), and Leif Dugan (Theresa); Uncle James Inebnit, Aunts Janis Blaisdell (Donald), Mary Kirk (Richard), Janice Crowell (Richard), Donna Pettman (David), Jeanie Darbro (David), and Judy Bradford (Douglas). Nieces and nephews Andrea Chilson, Joseph Sands, Lindsay Sands, Jackson Chilson, Abigail Dugan, and Joseph Dugan. Cousins Kelli Keyte (Chris), Melanie Godbold (Thomas), Kelly Falkenberg (Keith), Richard Kirk.

There will be a Rosary Vigil from 6:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday, April 20th, 2022 at Settegast-Kopf Funeral Home, 15015 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX 77478.

Funeral Services will take place at 10:00 AM Thursday, April 21st, at St. Laurence Catholic Church, 3100 Sweetwater Blvd, Sugar Land TX 77479. A reception will follow at the church. Tom will be laid to rest at Houston National Cemetery on Monday, April 25th at 1:45 PM.

To send a flower arrangement in memory of Tom, please direct them to the funeral home. Donations made in his honor can be made to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston; which held a special place in Tom’s heart.

Blue Skies & Fair Winds