Celebrating the life of
Claude Thomas Sanson
August 22, 1933 - January 21, 2014
Savannah- Claude Thomas Sanson "Tom", 80, of Marianna, FL, passed away Tuesday, January 21, at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA.
Tom was born on August 22, 1933 in Griffin, GA and graduated in 1951 from Bass High School in Atlanta. He lettered in football at Arizona State University and also attended Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.
Prior to starting a family, he served in the Army. He married Juanita Lee in Savannah, GA in 1978 and moved to Marianna a year later after purchasing Pine Crest Memorial Gardens.
Tom was very active in the community and a member of First Baptist Church of Marianna. He was especially involved with the Elks Lodge and was the present and past Exalted Ruler. In addition, he served as State Chaplain of the Elks for the state of Florida. Furthermore, Tom was the past chairman of the Jackson County Republican Party and in the American Legion.
He loved the community and was always willing to volunteer his time and participated in countless special events over his 34 years in Marianna. In particular, he took great pleasure in being a part of the theater productions at the local Chipola College.
An avid fan of the Florida State Seminoles, Tom loved traveling to the games with friends and family. He was also quite the excellent artist and particularly liked to paint watercolors. Tom enjoyed working in his yard and tending to his pond and the ducks and geese were like family to him. He was always up for a lively political discussion. Tom and his beloved wife, Juanita, were seldom apart and loved socializing with their local group of friends.
His daughter Donna was a joy in his life and they visited each other often. He loved to stay in touch with old school mates from Bass High School and never missed an opportunity to enjoy a Varsity hotdog during his trips to Atlanta visiting friends and family.
Tom is survived by his wife of 35 years Juanita Sanson, two children, Donna Sanson Vaughan and David Sanson; two stepdaughters, Linda Glisson and Ann McElroy. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and brothers, Chet Sanson and Chris Sanson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Tom to the Chipola Community Foundation at 3094 Indian Circle, Marianna, Florida 32446.
The funeral will be held Saturday, January 25, at 1:30pm, at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel in Savannah, GA. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Marianna at 11:00 am on Monday, January 27. Pastor Mark Long will officiate. After the service, the family will visit with friends and family in the church sanctuary.
Please sign our guest book on line at www.foxandweeks.com
I was sorry to learn of Tom's passing. It was always good to see him at Bass High reunions. We will miss him.
- Betty Williford, ATLANTA, GA
Dear Juanita, We are thinking about you and your family and praying that God will give you comfort and peace during this difficult time. Tom was a kind and caring person and his warm smile will be missed by many. Praying for you all. Much love,
- Chanley & Denise Carter, Marianna, FL
I am so sorry to hear of the loss you are experencing, my prayers & thoughts are with you all, just look to God and He will hold you up & be your constant companion.
- Marjorie Morrill, Greenwood, FL
We were saddened to learn of the passing of Tom. We will miss seeing him around, but when the Lord calls our loved ones home, he leaves a gift of memories in exchange. Hold on to those memories, and let them guide you during this time of sadness.
- Tom and Evelyn Daniels, Marianna,, FL
Tom towered above all I know in his love of family, dedication to his country and willingness to help his friends. We will miss him and extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, son & daughter and extended family.
- Jim and Patty Hart, Bascom, FL
SURE WILL BE MISSED,MISS YOU ALREADY FRIEND
- MARY WALLER, MARIANNA, FL
Tom will surely be missed in Marianna. May God grant you His peace during this time of sorrow.
- Billy and Elizabeth Bell, Marianna, FL
Precious Juanita and family, I was so saddened to hear of Tom's passing. He was a good friend and was always willing to help me in any way possible. He did love his family and was so proud of you all. My prayers are with you. I will miss him!
- Dale Guthrie, Sneads, FL
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you in the loss of Tom. He will be missed by his many Marianna friends.
- Marsha and Gene Kent, Marianna, FL
Juanita and family: Juanita it is so hard to think of Tom gone. He was so full of life and so willing to assist with whatever the request was. He was everywhere: ringing the Salvation bells to stepping in as Exalted Ruler. Our prayers to you. Mary and John Schwencke
- John and Mary Schwwencke, Marianna, FL
Tom was a treasured, respected friend and member of our community. He'll always have a place in my heart and I'll miss his smile and honest love for our little town! Love and prayers to Juanita and the family. He will live on in many, many hearts!
- Dorothy Chaney, Marianna, FL
Tom Sanson was a kind, compassionate, and passionate man who loved his wife, children and community. He worked tirelessly to better our part of the planet. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to know Tom. My prayers are with Juanita and the family.
- Wendy Gaska Arthur, Pascagoula, MS
I was sorry to learn of Tom's passing. It was always good to see him at Bass High reunions. We will miss him.
- Betty Williford, ATLANTA, GA
Dear Juanita, We are thinking about you and your family and praying that God will give you comfort and peace during this difficult time. Tom was a kind and caring person and his warm smile will be missed by many. Praying for you all. Much love,
- Chanley & Denise Carter, Marianna, FL
I am so sorry to hear of the loss you are experencing, my prayers & thoughts are with you all, just look to God and He will hold you up & be your constant companion.
- Marjorie Morrill, Greenwood, FL
We were saddened to learn of the passing of Tom. We will miss seeing him around, but when the Lord calls our loved ones home, he leaves a gift of memories in exchange. Hold on to those memories, and let them guide you during this time of sadness.
- Tom and Evelyn Daniels, Marianna,, FL
Tom towered above all I know in his love of family, dedication to his country and willingness to help his friends. We will miss him and extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, son & daughter and extended family.
- Jim and Patty Hart, Bascom, FL
SURE WILL BE MISSED,MISS YOU ALREADY FRIEND
- MARY WALLER, MARIANNA, FL
Tom will surely be missed in Marianna. May God grant you His peace during this time of sorrow.
- Billy and Elizabeth Bell, Marianna, FL
Precious Juanita and family, I was so saddened to hear of Tom's passing. He was a good friend and was always willing to help me in any way possible. He did love his family and was so proud of you all. My prayers are with you. I will miss him!
- Dale Guthrie, Sneads, FL
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you in the loss of Tom. He will be missed by his many Marianna friends.
- Marsha and Gene Kent, Marianna, FL
Juanita and family: Juanita it is so hard to think of Tom gone. He was so full of life and so willing to assist with whatever the request was. He was everywhere: ringing the Salvation bells to stepping in as Exalted Ruler. Our prayers to you. Mary and John Schwencke
- John and Mary Schwwencke, Marianna, FL
Tom was a treasured, respected friend and member of our community. He'll always have a place in my heart and I'll miss his smile and honest love for our little town! Love and prayers to Juanita and the family. He will live on in many, many hearts!
- Dorothy Chaney, Marianna, FL
Tom Sanson was a kind, compassionate, and passionate man who loved his wife, children and community. He worked tirelessly to better our part of the planet. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to know Tom. My prayers are with Juanita and the family.
- Wendy Gaska Arthur, Pascagoula, MS
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
