Tommy L. "Tom" Sanford

Sandford, Tommy "Tom" L. Born June 15, 1935, in Wichita, KS to Willard Bloss "W.B." and Reita Lavern (Boll) Sandford, in Council Grove, KS, passed away quietly from this life November 29, 2015, at the age of 80 years, 5 months and 14 days. Tom was a graduate of Topeka High School. He studied engineering while attending Oklahoma State University and Wichita State University. He was awarded a Certificate as a Public Works Inspector from the Kansas Engineering Society and was a Licensed Private and Commercial Flight Instructor. Tom actively served as a cryptographic operator for the United States Airforce from April 1956 until November 1962, where he achieved the rank of Airman First class and was Honorably Discharged from the United States Airforce Reserves on April 23, 1962. Tom loved fishing, music and all thing aircraft. He managed Sydney Flying Service, Iola, KS where he loving gave private and commercial ground and flight instruction. He would lose himself in the solitude of a farm pond where he would string a trout line and cast his lure, waiting for the next big catch. Tom, however, did not like to eat fish. He simply loved the quiet peace and freedom of the outdoors. Tom was a talented musician. He was an accomplished steel, jazz and fingerstyle guitar player who graciously and willingly shared his talents. Rather than perform, he taught others everything he knew and delighted in their accomplishments. Tom was a simple man with a big heart. Tom was a multitalented and devoted employee. He was a cabinet maker, a travel systems inspector, hung drywall, was a welder and worked in the engineering field as a land surveyor and inspector. Prior to his retirement, he was a 26 year employee for Professional Engineering Consultants in their municipal engineering department where he was a drafting and design technician. On August 27, 2001, Tom married the love of his life, Karlen Hicks. He was a loving and devoted husband. He loved her with every fiber of his being, forever and always. Tom is preceded in death by his wife, Karlene (Hicks) Sandford; parents, W.B. and Reita Sandford, and nephew, Tracy L. Sandford. He is survived by 2 sisters, Colleen Sandford (St. James, NY) and Sue (Sandford) Harper and husband, Bill (Ione, CA); 1 brother, Dennis and Francis Sandford (Hutchinson, KS); 3 nephews, 1 niece; 3 great-nephews; 1 great-niece; 2 great-great-nephews; and 1 great-great-niece. He will also leave behind his loving friends, Wayne and Arthetta Long, (Douglass, KS) and their children, Nathan and Wendy Long, Amber and Matthew Hopper and Chasity Long, who will miss his loving smile and quick wit. Services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 12, Baker Funeral Home Chapel, Wichita. Memorials: American Heart Association.