Thomas Elzie VanSant Jr.

Thomas (Tom) Elzie VanSant, Jr., 88, of Huntsville, Alabama passed away on April 26, 2026. Tom was born in Gadsden, Alabama to Thomas VanSant Sr, and Grace Ramsey VanSant.  Tom was raised in Piedmont, Alabama and graduated from Piedmont High school in 1956.

Tom met Kay, his wife of 64 years, as a toddler at the Piedmont First United Methodist Church. Tom graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree, completed medical school at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, and completed his internship and General Surgery Residency at Georgia Baptist Hospital in Atlanta, GA.   Upon entering active duty in the U.S. Army, he was assigned to Fort Gordon, GA; Thailand; Fort Benning, GA; Brooke Army Medical Center, TX, where he was an Otolaryngology Resident; Tripler Army Medical Center, HI; and Ft Detrick, MD.  At Tripler, he became the Chief or Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and was the Director, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Residency Training Program.  Upon Tom’s retirement from the military, they settled in Scottsdale, Arizona where he practiced medicine at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ. 

He was a member of several professional organizations including the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the American College of Surgeons, and the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States.

 Upon retiring from private practice, he and Kay relocated to Alabama, first in Centre and then to Huntsville. During their time in Centre, Tom and Kay were members of the Piedmont First United Methodist Church.  In Huntsville, Tom and Kay became members of the Grace United Methodist Church.

Tom and Kay traveled extensively during retirement.  Tom’s hobby was genealogy and he loved researching his and Kay’s family trees and connecting with distant relatives.  Tom was also dedicated to the preservation of antique wooden carousels and was a long-time member of the National Carousel Association.  He served as the NCA President from 1998-1999 and also as Census Chairman.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife Kay Cunningham VanSant; parents, Grace and Thomas VanSant, Sr.; son, Thomas VanSant III; and his parents-in-law, Edna and Harwell Cunningham.

He is survived by his daughter, Karen VanSant of Huntsville, AL; granddaughter, Kelsey Hoogendoorn (Codie) of Gilbert, AZ; grandsons, Thomas VanSant IV and Tai VanSant of Phoenix, AZ; sister-in-law, Susan Latta (Lin) of Piedmont, AL; nephews, Chris Latta (Kelly) of Jacksonville, AL and Chad Latta of Piedmont, AL; niece, Kim Rolon (Jose) of Jacksonville, AL; and great-nephews Cade and Kai Latta, and AJ Rolon, all of Jacksonville, AL.

In accordance with his wishes, there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, Piedmont First United Methodist Church, or the National Carousel Association.

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