Thomas Eugene Sanders was born August 4, 1949, in Shelbyville, Indiana, son of the late Clarence and Redith Coffey Sanders.  He was the second of the seven Sanders children:  Charlotte, Tom, Robert, Judy Kay, Mary Ann, Helen and Debbie.  Tom departed this life on February 9, 2023.  He was 73 years of age.

He and Charlotte were raised in Russell Springs, Kentucky by their great-aunt-turned-"Ma," Lula Aaron Emerson Stephens, where they were exposed to a life of faith and good southern cooking.  Tom was baptized by Bro. Monroe Robertson "in the baptizing hole."  He graduated from Russell County High School in the Class of '68.

Following in stepbrother Jim Emerson's footsteps, he voluntarily enlisted in the US Navy during the Vietnam War era and served on the USS Holder, a Gearing class Destroyer.  After being honorably discharged, he built a career as a baker with Wonderbread Company in Indianapolis.  Later, wanderlust took him west where he settled in Helena, Montana.

He is preceded in death by his biological parents, his adoptive "Ma" and his stepbrothers, John David Emerson and James Avery Emerson.

Tom is survived by his son, Terry Stargel and daughter-in-law, JoDonna Stargel, of whom he was so proud, especially in the fact that they love the Lord. He boasted two grandchildren, Lucas Stargel and Miranda (and Sam) Dever; and three great-grandsons, Branson, Elias and Gabrian. He is also survived by his sister, Charlotte (and Ben) Smith; his niece, Renee Smith; his nephew, Harold (and Amanda) Smith and their children, Stella and Simon; his brother, Robert DeVault; and the remainder of his siblings.

He shall be missed by innumerable family and friends in Indiana, Kentucky, Oregon and Montana. Tom will be remembered for his gentle spirit, his kind heart and willingness to help; not only his friends, but anyone in need. He loved sharing stories of growing up on the farm in Kentucky, 70s rock and American heavy metal: Camaros, Shelbys and pickup trucks.

In his later years, he has been surrounded by a team of medical staff who have tirelessly looked after him and his wellbeing. With deepest respect and gratitude, Tom's family asks that expressions of sympathy be directed to Many Rivers Whole Health ( www.manyriverswholehealth.org ) in Tom's memory.

Services will be held in later spring in Russell Springs, Kentucky and in summer at Fort Harrison in Helena, Montana.