Thomas Ray Sankey

Thomas Ray Sankey, 72, of Fort Dodge passed away Friday, May 31, 2024, at his home.

Visitation Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, June 7th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Laufersweiler Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, June 8th at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Duncombe, with military rites conducted by the V.F.W. Post 1856 and the U.S. Army Honor Guard.

Thomas is survived by his wife Deb, son Brian (Alisha) Sankey, daughter-in-law Michelle Wilson, grandchildren Cooper Sankey, Kristin Sankey, Madalyn Sankey, brother William Sankey of Pocahontas, Jerry Sankey of Fort Dodge, and sister Linda Sankey of Ames.

Tom was preceded in death by his son Stephen, parents Robert and Betty (Gronbach), sister Pamela Loux and brother Robert Sankey Jr.

Thomas Ray was born October 23, 1951, in Fort Dodge. He graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High in 1970. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in February of 1970 and served until February of 1972. He then enlisted in the United States Army in 1972 and was stationed at Fort Riley, KS. On January 26, 1974, Tom was united in marriage to Debra VerHelst. Tom was stationed in Korea soon after and upon his return the couple lived in many places before his retirement on October 31, 1990. Tom is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso on May 12, 1995. He then worked for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, including a 30 month duty on the southern border. In 1999, Tom and Deb established their home in Mitchellville, Iowa and then in 2019, returned to Fort Dodge.

Family requests in lieu of flowers if persons would like to make a donation to a veterans charity in Tom’s honor.