Michael L Sanders

Michael Lawrence "Mike" Sanders, 74, of Clearwater, FL, passed away peacefully on December 14th, 2020, just shy of his 75th birthday, in his beloved hometown of Clearwater, Florida, after a long struggle with depression.

Michael was born at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida, on December 27th, 1945 to George Waterhouse Sanders and Dorothy Dimmitt Sanders. Michael was a lifelong resident of Clearwater. He attended South Ward Elementary, Clearwater Junior High School, and graduated from Berkeley Preparatory School, where he was the quarterback of the football team.

He thereafter attended the University of the South (Sewanee), where he also played quarterback, and where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and made a great many friends and memories. Subsequently, he graduated with a BFA from USF in 1970. He also served in the Army National Guard Reserves after college.

Michael was passionate about history and local history in particular. He served as Chairman of the Clearwater Historical Commission from 1988 to 1994. He served on the Board of Directors, and was at one time President, of the Clearwater Historical Society. In 1980, he worked for the Historic Tampa Preservation Board. That same year, he initiated an oral history program for the City of Largo. In 1983, he helped save the historic Plumb House, which later became the home of the Clearwater Historical Society. In 1994, he was officially made City Historian of Clearwater, Florida.

In 1983, he authored “Clearwater: A Pictorial History,” which still stands as the definitive history of his beloved hometown. He subsequently authored a book called “Florida’s Historic Places.”

He and his family were longtime members of Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church in downtown Clearwater, and in 1991, he wrote a book entitled “A History of Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church.”

He wrote numerous local history articles over the years for newspapers and magazines. He was well-known in the community, and beyond, as a repository of wonderful local stories, legends and history. His home was a virtual Clearwater history museum. Michael adored his hometown of Clearwater and was rightly proud of the role his family played in its development.

In his free time, he was a realtor with Biltmore Associates in Belleair, and later Swisshelm Realty on Clearwater Beach.

He was a lifelong active member of Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church, where he served as Elder and on the Property Council.

Michael was a third-generation member of the Carlouel Yacht Club and a second-generation member of the Casado Club. He and Sara spent many memorable summers in Highlands, NC, where they hiked and Michael played tennis daily, where his crafty left-handed serve bedeviled many an opponent.

He had a wonderful ear for music and loved to dance and sing. His all-time favorite band, The Tams, whom he had seen live in Clearwater in the 1960s, played at his birthday party many years later, at the Carlouel Yacht Club, which was a high-water mark for all who were lucky enough to be involved.

Above all, Michael was a genuine, fun and hilarious person, who always brightened family and other gatherings, whether it was formal Christmas gatherings or boys’ camping trips. He was a warm, loving and mischievous spirit. He would often stop to help a fellow human being with some money or a ride. He had a way with a turn of phrase that is uncommon and not likely to be replicated. As his dear and lifelong friend Robert Constand commented, “The world’s a less fun place without Miguel!” Amen and rest in peace amigo!

Michael is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Sara, of Clearwater; his stepson, Tandy Little (Mary), grandsons, Duncan and Chase, of Tampa, FL; his sister, Hebe Jane Murphy (John), of Boca Grande, FL; niece Meaghan Chorske (Mike), nephews, John Dowling and Peter Dowling (Deb), of New York City; aunt, Marge Dimmitt, of Clearwater; cousins, Lawrence Dimmitt, III (Vevie), Eileen Magidson (Josh), Richard Dimmitt (Doreen), of Clearwater; Benjamin Dimmitt, of Asheville, NC; Larry Rowland (Margot), of Beaufort, SC; Richard Rowland (Grace) of Maine; Richard Bray, Philip Bray (Ingrid), and Mia Bray of North Carolina, and many more extended family. He is predeceased by his mother, Dorothy Dimmitt Baxter, and his father, George Sanders. He is also survived by his loving caregiver, Stephanie Battle, who was by his side when he passed. The family is particularly grateful to Stephanie Battle for her loving care of Michael during his final months.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church or the Clearwater Historical Society A Memorial service will be held at Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church January 5, 2021 at 11 am All COVID 19 restrictions will be observed including mask wearing and social distancing.

Seating will be limited due to the extra spacing A You Tube video will be available for those not wishing to attend in person. Contact the church at [email protected] for the video link