Obituary
Sandra L. (Sandy) Thomas passed away on Dec. 6, 2017. She was born on April 28, 1951 in Savannah, Georgia. Being the daughter of a father serving in the United States Air Force, Sandy also lived in England and California before making Orlando her home. It was in 1967 at Boone High School, in Mrs. Odam’s 11th grade English class, that she met her future husband Richard (Rick) Thomas. It was love at first sight for Rick, but not so much for Sandy. That would take a bit of time and patience. They began dating and thus their lives became intertwined for the next 50 years. Sandy moved to Hawaii with family in the spring of 1968 only to return a couple months later by herself to be with Rick. After graduating from Boone in 1969, Sandy attended Orlando Junior College and Valencia Junior College receiving her Associate of Arts Degree. Then it was off to the American Airlines stewardess school in Dallas, Texas where she received her stewardess wings. After being home based at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, she transferred to Dallas Love Field in Dallas, Texas. Sandy and Rick married in Arlington, Texas in 1973 and their 44 year marriage began. Upon expecting their first child, Sandy took a maternity leave of absence from the airlines never to return. Being a loving and devoted full time mother and wife was her real goal in life, and that she achieved extraordinarily. Sandy tried her hand at selling Tupperware in the late 70’s and did so very well, but that would come to an end when she realized it was taking too much time away from her family. Years later, with her two boys grown, Sandy became assistant manager at Uniform City in downtown Orlando, becoming manager a short time thereafter. Sandy loved selling retail and helping her customers brought her joy. The friendships made while working there with employees and customers would follow her for the rest of her life. She managed the store for 10 years until she was unable to do so from the effects of chemo therapy due to a cancer diagnosis in 2008. She began being a full time patient and part of the family at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. Sandy remained in remission from cancer after receiving a bone marrow transplant at Moffitt. She was under the watchful eyes and loving care for her remaining years by very talented and dedicated Moffitt health care professionals right up until her passing due to complications from her bone marrow transplant. Moffitt also lost a family member that day, but their loving support continues. Sandy touched many souls as a cancer and BMT patient. Being a devoted Christian, her journey gave her the opportunity to spread Christ’s word to many willing listeners. She was always looking for ‘one more soul’ for Him. Sandy’s family and friends will always miss her deeply, but they are assured that she is living the life with Him in Heaven as she was taught and that she believed in with all her heart. She is survived by her husband (Rick), two sons and soulmates (Ian and Christina, Neil and Jen), mother (Arlene Gilmore), stepfather (Dan Gilmore), sister and brother-in-law (Teri and Bruce Judge), brother and sister-in- law (Bruce and Suzanne Campbell), stepmother (Brenda Campbell), mother-in-law (Betty Thomas), brother-in-law and wife (Jim and Barbara Thomas), sister-in-law (Nancy Ware), three granddaughters (Brianna, Trysta, and Keeley) and many wonderful nephews and nieces and their children. Sandy was predeceased by her father Richard Campbell, brother Larry Campbell, sister-in-law Sally Cassatt, brother-in-law Woody Ware, and beautiful granddaughter Kenzie Thomas. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Sandy’s name to the Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa. Their outstanding care and research are extending and saving many thousands of lives. A memorial for Sandy is being held on January 6th at 2 p.m. at the Central Florida Restoration Church, 682 Mason Ave., Apopka, Fl. Attendees are asked, if possible, to refrain from black attire at the family’s request. Thank you and God bless.
I was honored to be a friend of Sandy's during my years at Boone. I will always remember her bright, warm smile. She was truly an individual who enjoyed each moment of life. One of her pictures in the Boone yearbook showed her signing the senior sidewalk.....again her smile and happiness showing for all of us to enjoy.
My prayers are with you during this time.
Sandy was my light on many a dark day. I would think of her and how she had so much fight and spirit and know that I was doing God's will. She will be missed and I will think of her often.