Thomas Nelson Sanderlin III

Tom Sanderlin, 83, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2026.

Tom was born in 1943, in Norfolk, Virginia, to Thomas Nelson Sanderlin, Jr. and Irene B. Sanderlin. From an early age, Tom possessed an engineer’s mind and a love of the water. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture from the University of Michigan and went on to devote his professional career to the design, engineering, and repair of ships. Among the many vessels to which he contributed his naval architectural expertise was the Pieces of Eight, a pirate ship built in Virginia Beach in 2006 that is now a beloved attraction at Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Tom was also an accomplished woodworker who enjoyed building wooden boats and loved taking friends and family out on the local waterways.

In 1990, Tom married Patricia, and together they shared 36 years of marriage. They built a life filled with family, friends, travel, and many shared interests. Pat was his beloved companion, and the two remained devoted to one another throughout their life together.

A Vietnam veteran, Tom was also a lifelong learner, and his creativity, curiosity, and love of learning remained important parts of his life throughout the years. His interests extended to energy healing and qigong, which he pursued throughout his life. After retirement, Tom and Pat settled in The Villages, Florida, where this lifelong interest grew into a meaningful new chapter. Tom became a certified Qigong Master through Spring Forest Qigong in 2018 and found deep purpose in sharing his knowledge with others. As a qigong teacher in The Villages, he was a patient and thoughtful instructor whose quiet presence and genuine care for others left a lasting impression on his students.

In November 2025, Tom and Pat moved to Huntsville, Alabama, to be closer to family. Just months later, Tom experienced the loss of his beloved wife, Patricia, who passed away in May 2026.

Tom is survived by his daughter, Nicole Sanderlin and her husband, James Smith, and their son, Evan Smith; his son, Gavin Sanderlin and his wife, Meredith Atthowe; Patricia’s son, Shane Morris and his wife, Stephanie, and their children, Ashley and Jordan; Patricia’s daughter, Samantha Morris-Huerta and her husband, Chris Huerta; and Patricia's sister, Nancy Hebb and her son Hilton.

Tom’s legacy lives on in the family he loved, the students he inspired, the people he helped, and the beautiful things he created. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his family, friends, students, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A service celebrating Tom’s life will be held at a later date. Details will be announced when arrangements have been finalized.