Thomas Saunders

[Dave Warren]

I was notified by Victor Fileppi at Noon on Saturday, April 22nd, 2006, that Thomas Saunders had expired, presumably due to complications from his surgery to remove a massive clot on his lung, the night before. He expired at Fairfield, Ohio's Mercy Hospital. I will post further arrangements and info at a later date.  

A great man, a great father, a great human being, has found his home in heaven. Thomas leaves this Earth with a son, daughter, and wife. I love you Thomas, and appreciate you for what you were to me on site and off.

Much love and prayer to the Saunders family.....Sincerely, Dave Warren

[30rem]

Is this the Tom Saunders of Duke Power from years ago?
My condolences to his family.

[radglo]

One of the finest men Tammie and I were blessed to have as a friend. We all suffer a great loss without him here to comfort, inspire and bless us with his presence. We are sure he has truely gone home to be with the Father. Our prayers and our love continue for his wife and children. We're proud to say we loved Thomas too.

Daniel and Tammie Darby 

[dhk]

I have been lucky enough to know Thomas having worked with him at Fernald for many years.  Thomas was always a pleasure to be around as he was upbeat, positive, caring and fun.  He will truely be missed.  My condolences to his family. 

[JIMBOMAFF]

I worked with Tom at Battelle Columbus and at Curtis Bay.  He was always in an up mood.  I will miss Tom.  Condolences to his family.  See you later Tom......

[duke99301]

That is sad to hear I have not seen tom since the early 90's nor have I seen Victor.
take care all.

[Laning]

Extremely sad news. I met Thomas at Battelle Lab in '92, and worked with him again at Fernald from 94-96. He didnt smile much the first day I met him..a rather intimidating looking dude. But after the second day of knowing him, he never stopped smiling... a beautiful smile. I'm thankful to have known him.

My condolences to his family.

Eric 

[Ginger Bread Woman]

God gave me the opportunity of getting to know Thomas at Fernald. What a wonderful man, excellant person and co-worker. If you saw a group of people gathered chances are you would find him in the center laughing and joking, with that big beautiful smile. My daughter Hillary was ten years old (1994-95) when she would bake cookies or brownies she would send some for him, he would always call her and tell her how good they were and how wonderful she was for thinking about him. A very caring and decent man!!! WOW!!! What a tremendous loss. I know he is with Jesus!!! And heaven is dancing.

My Deepest heartfelt sympathy to the Saunders family!!!

Kathleen Wiggins

[urtall1]

I've know Thomas since 1991, met him at Battelle labs in Columbus at that time.  We quickly became friends.  He is actually survived by his 3 daughters and one son and current widow (Barbra).  I also convinced him, probably not the best thing I did, but convinced him to come to Fernald, and he did, and I got to work with him again from my time at Fernald from 1994-2000, when I transferred to hanford.  Thomas was the best man at my latest wedding in 2003.  He touched my life as well as my family, and was always there for me when I needed a helping hand.  I am fortunate to have known him and fortunate to have him as my friend.  You will always live on in my heart Thomas......  And as you always ended your emails to me...

Peace Brother!!   

[shiine8]

I knew Tom from the Diablo days of the mid 80's . Great guy, I'm shocked to hear of this. We were suppoesed to get together in Boston the next time he and his family visited his inlaws. What a damn shame. Tom Shine Kelly

[Dave Warren]

I talked with Thomas' wife, and she is very appreciative of all the support she has received and it keeps her going to know of all the lives that Thomas has touched while he was on this Earth.

The viewing will be Friday from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The service will follow at 2:00 PM.

The location is the St. John AME Zion Church, 425 Forest Ave., Avondale, Ohio. This is located East of the Cincinnati Zoo. It is North of Children's Hospital. It is West of Reading Road.

Click on the MapQuest link below for directions:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?address=425%20Forest%20Ave&city=Avondale&state=OH&zipcode=45229%2d2515&country=US&title=%3cb%3e425%20Forest%20Ave%3c%2fb%3e%3cbr%20%2f%3e%20Avondale%2c%20OH%2045229%2d2515%2c%20%20US&cid=lfmaplink2&name=

[Dave Warren]

Fernald team member and friend Thomas Saunders died suddenly this weekend following a brief illness.  He was 54. 

Saunders started his career with Fluor Fernald in November 1994 and later worked with Shaw Environmental supporting the Waste Pits Project.  Saunders career focused primarily on radiation safety, serving in various capacities over the last 11 years including:  senior radiation technician, environmental waste specialist and later as a technical program support specialist.

Friends will always remember Saunders positive attitude, smile, and willingness to make a difference.  He spent countless hours as a community volunteer and site envoy.  He was a regular supporter of the Fernald United Way campaign.  In fact, he had volunteered to help work the Fernald booth at Earth Day this past Saturday.

Two weeks ago his current assignment ended at Fernald, but in Saunders' usual style, he was not thinking about himself, but others, as he prepared to move on.

"I can say that I am a better person because of the time that I've spent in Southwest Ohio and meeting the people that I have met.  For each of you I wish that you have green lights at each intersection that you approach in your life.  I wish that you receive an 'A' on each examination that you have to take and I wish that you have all of the sunshine that you can bear"

"Hopefully by the time next school year starts our community center in Hamilton at 729 Campbell Street will be operational.  We will be providing services to low-income families in the form of tutoring, mentoring and a community computer network center so if any of you good people every feel the urge to volunteer some of your talents just give me a call and I'm sure some of the kids will welcome your use your expertise"

Godspeed, Thomas

[SloGlo]

words can't express my sorrow and condolences to tommy's family.  i first met tommy at oconee in the 70s, worked with him at songs in 80, 'n again on a d.o.d. in missouri in the 90s.  every time he was a true gentleman with a true smile and firm handshake, an excellent tech, and someone you would find in your corner.  they aren't made like this very often. 
peace.

[DoobieDave]

Thomas was a great friend - I first met him not too long after 3 mile, down in the Carolinas, think it was Oconee. HP's were even more of a small brotherhood then, and then, as now, we would catch up with friends vicariously when we pulled into a new power plant. Often I would get from people, "Really, you were there? Who else was there? Oh, yeah, Tom Saunders! Man what a great guy!". At Diablo, early '80's his son was born and had open heart surgery, and Tom went through much, but most wouldn't know it because he was still so genuine and kind, and everyone's friend.

I talked him into coming to Battelle in '91, because I wanted my friends, him more than most - nearby. Another friend at Fernald told me that to even walk 50 yards with Thomas could take 20 minutes due to the shear volume of people who would insist talking with him. I met more people when I was with Tom for a day than I would in a year by myself.

The last few years I watched as he grew more spiritual; it started with his faith, then his heart followed, and soon he was applying his tremendous will toward the struggle all good men endure. With his natural charm he was a tremendous witness to myself and others.

I have shed tears, but not for a life unfullfilled, I believe his was a very full life, but for his family, his nuclear family, and myself, who will be deprived for a short while of his presence.

Dave Gill
Colorado

[30rem]

This is really sad. Tommie was in the initial RP training class with me in 1977 in Charlotte, N.C. Even though I have not seen him in years he is still in  my heart...a very good man.

SAUNDERS, Thomas O.


SAUNDERS Thomas O., High Point, NC native. Passed April 22. Age, 54. Visitation, Friday, April 28th, 12 Noon until service time of 2 P.M. at St. John AME Zion Church, 425 Forest Avenue. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Ronald McDonald House of Greater Cinti, 350 Erkenbrecher Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45229 in memory of Thomas O. Saunders. Jamison and Jamison in charge of arrangements

[HKAdams]

First And foremost, I would like to send my condolences to Thomas' family. May GOD be with you in your time of grief. Thomas was a wonderful person. I am the daughter of Kathleen Wiggins aka the gingerbreadwoman. somewhere around about ten years ago, i would frequently bake cookies, or brownies for Thomas, and send them with my mom in a little brown bag to Fernald. After i would get home from school, he would call and thank me and let me know how delightful they were. It has been a many of years since i have crossed Thomas' path, at least six or seven. It was wonderful to have had the opportunity to be touched by his warm spirit. I know that he is in a better place. Thomas, you will be missed by many, but never forgotten.

[SloGlo]

although my plans for today got radically altered and proclude me from attending the visitation and funeral today my thoughts and prayers will be with the saunders family.

[Dave Warren]

I am also at work today with a heavy heart, and a tear in my eye, remembering all the good times out in the Fernald Waste Pits with my main man, Thomas. All of my good friends will be there at the funeral today, paying their respects and I, unfortunately, will not.

Thomas, heaven just got a #1 draft pick today, and it will be great to hug ya at the Pearly Gates, my brother.

Dave Warren

[gammaspec1]

Last but not Least, I was notified of a lifelong Friend Passing today. I travel for work a full 50% of the time and circle the world so sometimes messages take a while to get through. Tom was a great friend and a mentor when I was mopping floors at Diablo canyon so many years ago. Last time I talked to him he wanted me to get him a job so he could go to IRAQ with me. Thomas was tireless in his faith as well as in his friendship. He used to tell me he would pray for me because we all know what a sinner I am. He will be truly missed and when my knees hit the floor tonight I will send a prayer to those no longer with us.

With much Love,

George Michael Le Roy
Senior Technical Advisor
Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Fort Belvoir, VA. 22060
(703)717-8725

[Radconpro]

I worked with Tom at Lake City, Battelle in Columbus, Ohio and Curtis Bay.  We was a good man.  I am shocked to hear of his passing.  My sincere condolences and belssings to his family.

Dan

[dose4dollars]

I have been out of pocket for many months, and this is truly a suprise. I am so heart broken that a friend like Thomas has passed. He stood by me when I was in the hospital in Columbus in 92, and we kept in contact over the years. I guess it was last year at Christmas when we spoke, but I know he is with the Lord. His words and convictions reflected this. Though it is many months past his death, we will rejoyce at the feast together. Blessing to his family.       Tim

[ergo sum]

Thomas was the lead tech for the first job I had at Fernald in early '95. He had a booming laugh, I know because he loved it whenever I'd greet him with an Irish brogue saying, 'top o' the morning, Thomas O'Saunders!' I think he loved the irony in that... One time an operator at Fernald asked me what I thought about renting a house to Tom and his family and I said that he'd be lucky to get Tom as a tenant. A couple of months later that same operator stopped and thanked me. I told him that I couldn't speak highly enough of the man...The last time I saw Tom was at the Fernople Xmas party at the museum in Cincy. a couple of years ago. I was acceptably dressed, I guess, but Tom was dressed to the nines, steppin' out, as it were,I felt like a poor relative, but the talk ran high and we laughed alot...