Celebrating the life of
Thomas West "Tom" Hunter
August 15, 1951 - June 30, 2026
Thomas West Hunter left this earth surrounded by family and friends at St. Joseph’s Hospital on June 30, 2026. Survived by his loving wife of 33 years Dee, daughter Frances Leigh and brother Bob. He was born on August 15, 1951, to Frances Pearl West and Eston Elijah Hunter.
A lifelong resident of Savannah, he also loved spending much time on Tybee Island. Tom grew up in the lush woods and fish filled Hayner’s Creek and spent his childhood crabbing, shrimping and fishing. He loved the Vernon River where he learned to water ski, canoe and camp with the Boy Scouts. With the Pelli family across the street whom he considered family, he never strayed far and always returned home to Gohler Avenue.
From pet goats to his beloved first dog Mojo, Tom loved all creatures great and small. Whenever coming across a stray or injured animal he would always stop to help or maybe even raise it as a pet!
After graduating from H.V. Jenkins High School in 1969 he went on to join the US Coast Guard. Once out of the Coast Guard he attended Armstrong State College and the University of Georgia where he got a Bachler’s Degree in Fine Arts. Construction and carpentry carried him back to Savannah where his love of animals brought him to work at Oatland Island for many years. He then moved on to work for Palmer Johnson, Hinkley and Skidaway Institute of Oceanography for UGA.
A fortuitous job at the Scarbrough House led him to meeting with Connecticut Yankee Dee who became his wife and mother to his only child Frances Leigh whom he cherished deeply.
Being a huge Bulldog fan who never missed a game he enjoyed hosting tailgate parties and oyster roasts by Hayner’s Creek. He also loved blacksmithing and crafting oyster knives on his homemade forge.
Tom was much loved by everyone who knew him and never met a stranger. He will be forever loved and dearly missed by so many and is now in heaven with his dear friend Tom Mills who passed away on June 29th. May we always remember the man with the green beard at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 25, 2026 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the American Legion, Post 154, Tybee Island, GA 31328.
We are absolutely heartbroken to hear of Toms passing! Prayers are with you from all of our family! God bless!
- Cleland family, Hinesville , Ga
Our prayers go out for the entire family. Tommy was a true gentleman and a good Samaritan actually have known him all of his life with him growing up on Gohler avenue. God bless you my friend.
- Ansley, Tim and Gail , Savannah , GA
Tom Hunter, you will be greatly missed by all. What a Great man to know. Have known and worked with Tom for over 40+ years at Palmer Johnson Yachts and Hinckley Yachts Savannah. As Dustin said in my group text to ALL, "Tom Loved Every one of us..."..... So True !!! RIP my brother, and I will see you on the other side. David + Miriam Simmons Hinckley Yachts Savh ..
- Dave Simmons, Claxton, Ga
I'm so sad for your loss
- JUDY W. NICHOLS, SAVANNAH, GA
Stunned. Deeply saddened. Heartbroken for Dee and Frances Leigh and the community of friends blessed by the legacy of his love and laughter. Roll on in peace.
- Ann Smith-Wilson, Clyo, Ga
I am so sorry to hear about Tommy. He was one of a kind and will be sorely missed.
- Frances W Smith, Savannah, GA
Tom was the best of all of us. You will never meet a greater human. We will miss him greatly and never forget Tom. He was there for me in the worst days of my life and some of the best days, always with a caring smile like no other. All prayers and blessings go out to his family.
- John D Lancaster, Ellabell, GA
RIP Mister Hunter you are missed
- Joe H Alexander, Savannah , GA
Tommy Was Certainly One Of A Kind With A Smile And A Hug For Everyone. He Was A Great Friend Who Stood By Me Through The Loss Of My Wife And Tried To Get Me Out On His Boat - I'll Alwats Regret Not Doing That Witt Him... We Go Back To High School - Class Of ‘69 At HV Jenkins.... Such A Great Inspiring True Southern Gentleman Whom I Loved And Respected - He was Always So Much Fun To Be Around. My Most Sincere Condolences To His Precious Wife, Dee, And Daughter, Frances Leigh, Whom I Lift Up In Prayer For God's Blessings Of Comfort And Our Savior's Peace That Passes All Understanding. May God Rest Tommy's Soul....
- Tommy Grooms III, Whitemarsh Island/Savannah, Georgia
We worked together for years, he was a great friend and co-worker, and though we didn't see each other much the last several years, I will miss him terribly.
- Arthur and Phyllis Weil, Atlanta, GA - Georgia
Tom's Skidaway Institute work family all miss seeing his smile and hearing his laughter every day.
- Karie Ann Neukomm, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, Savannah, Skidaway Island, GA
I did not know Tom personally but I am friends with Frances Leigh. I think a real testimony of who a man was in his life, is left behind in the child he bore. Tom must have been a pretty wonderful person to have raised such a great young woman. Our hearts go out to Frances Leigh and her mother, and may they find peace after this sad loss.
- Emily and Josephine Jordan, Savannah, Georgia
Im so sorry for your loss. He was an amazing man and made me laughing all the time.
- Wade Travis Cole, Savannah, Georgia
I am so sorry I had greatly missed I knew him for 20 years and the whole time he was a great man lots will feel this loss God need a great carpenter to go home God bless his family they were his world
- Dave, Perry, GA
Dee,Chuck and I are so sorry for your loss,he will be greatly missed! We always looked forward to seeing both of you at the Halcyon Bluff Oyster Roast and at the Tybee Legion.Prayers to you and your Daughter!
- Lisa and Chuck Linton , Tybee Island, GA
Hard to believe that we enjoyed our usual delightful Tybee Shrine Tuesday supper followed by utter shock at Tommy's passing. We will always remember the oyster roast and cooking out on Gohler Avenue to watch UGA and Braves games. When we lose someone as amazing as Tommy, our first wish is that we had known him better and spent more precious time enjoying life with him. Prayers for peace and comfort for Dee and Frances Leigh as they negotiate a life changer. And for his brother Bob, we understand the loss of a sibling that we spent our entire life together with prayers that you will remember all of the good times! Family is forever and lives on in our hearts.
- Chuck & Lynn Eaton, Tybee Island, GA
Dee, we are so saddened by Tom's passing. Memories of you and he dancing to our music at the oyster roasts were always highlights of those events. We shall miss his laugh and good nature.
- Bob & Judy Williams, Savannah, GA
I am truly heartbroken at the loss of Tom. I didn't know him as well as my siblings but, I got to know him better in the last 20 years or so. I always looked forward to spending time with him when I could. Tom was such a fascinating and creative person, it was always a great time to hang out with him . I will forever miss my Cuzz from savannah. One thing that I do know for sure about Tom , he loved big! Was always happy to see me and told me he loved me every time I saw him. Im so sorry for the loss that Dee and Francis Leigh must be feeling. My prayers go out to you daily. Love you Alan.
- Alan west, Temple, GA.
We moved to Hayner's Creek in 2002 (we are also Yankees who moved from Maine) and became great friends with Tommy and Dee and all the other Gohler Ave crew, enjoying many backyard gatherings for football games and oyster roasts !! Loved meeting baby Francis Leigh who is now a beautiful young lady ! We looked forward to sitting on our dock and waving back and forth and shouting to each other! Tommy would row up the creek in his canoe to visit with us many times ! We will miss those special moments!! Sending big hugs and love to Dee, Francis Leigh and family. Love, Doug and Priscilla Gadomski Savannah, GA
- Doug and Priscilla Gadomski , Savannah, Georgia
We first met Tom at the Irish Heritage Dances many years ago. A true gentleman who loved to dance. We became friends through the Pelli clan of Hayners creek. Tom joined us at our Halcyon Bluff oyster roast for many years and continued to dance with much enthusiasm. Dee please join us next February! Tom and Jamie Mulvaney of Hayners Creek
- Jamie Mulvaney, sav, ga
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
- Celebration of Life
- 1:00 p.m. on Sat, July 25, 2026
- American Legion Post 154
-
10 Veterans Drive (map)
TYBEE ISLAND GA 31328 - (912) 786-5356
