Thomas F. Sanker “Tom”
Thomas F. (Tom) Sanker, age 78 of Chesterland, Ohio passed away December 4, 2024. Born March 25, 1946, he grew up in a lively household in Lyndhurst, Ohio. He attended Charles F. Brush High School and then served in the Army where he was stationed in Korea during the Vietnam War. Back home Tom worked for the family business, Vacuum Finishing, for a while before heading out West and spending time as a truck driver. He eventually made his way back to Northeast Ohio and settled there for good. Tom ran his own company, AMS Transport, for 8 years until this past May when he first became ill.
Tom was always on the move, often helping friends and family with various projects or repairs. He enjoyed spending time puttering around the house, fixing things in his garage workspace while listening to music, working in the yard, birdwatching, befriending and feeding the outside critters and giving them names. Tom will be remembered for his warm and generous spirit, huge smile, infectious laugh, and being the life of every party. He will be missed by many.
Tom is survived by his wife, best friend and soulmate Sharon Sanker (née Johnson); son Jonathan Adams-Sanker (Danielle) of Beaverton, OR; step-son Shane Coley of Solon, OH, and step-daughter Kristina Coley of St. Louis, MO (Michael Koehler); siblings Mary Jayne Sanker of Duvall, WA, John (Mary) Sanker of Chardon, OH, Peggy Sanker of Sanford, FL, Susan Wittler of Akron, OH, Steven (Jeannette) Sanker of Chardon, OH, and Michael Sanker of Chesterland, OH; mother-in-law Jean Johnson of Chardon, OH; longtime childhood friend Bob Anderson (Chris) of Colorado; many beloved nieces and nephews, cousins and so many wonderful friends. He is preceded in death by his father Jack, mother Virgina (née Spencer), and sister-in-law Nancy.
There will be no funeral services as per Tom’s wishes, though a celebration of life gathering will be forthcoming in 2025. In the meantime, raise a glass to Tom!