J. Thomas Sturgis, esteemed educator
J. Thomas Sturgis died Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018, in Lewes, his home since 2010. A native of Maryland's Eastern Shore, he was the son of the late James Thomas and Frances Scarborough Sturgis.
He received his bachelor's degree from Union College, his master's degree from the University of Kentucky, and his D.Ed. from Indiana University (Bloomington). He also studied at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Western Washington University and Harlaxton College (Great Britain).
Early in his career, Dr. Sturgis served as an assistant dean of students at the University of Kentucky, and as acting dean of students at Transylvania University, both in Lexington, Ky. In 1979 he joined the administration of Wesley College and served this institution in a variety of roles, including dean of students, two appointments as vice president and dean of the college, director of graduate studies in education, professor of education and history, and interim president. He retired in 2013. Throughout his professional career, he was actively involved in a number of professional organizations, published articles in several areas of expertise and presented at conferences; his real passions, however, were teaching and working to strengthen the quality of student life on campuses.
Dr. Sturgis was involved in a number of community activities, including tutoring programs in local school districts which often involved his students, two terms as a public member of the State Board for Funeral Services and a board member of the George Washington Society of Delaware. In addition he served on the board of the Friends of the Capital Theatre, as a trustee of the Children's Beach House, member of the Lewes Historical Society and the Greater Lewes Community Village. After his move to Lewes, he devoted a major portion of his time and expertise to Primeros Pasos (First Steps), a bilingual preschool program sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware. He was an active member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
He is survived by his sister, Ann S. Coates and her husband B. Randall of Snow Hill, Md.; a nephew, Bryan A. Coates and his wife Melissa and great-nephew, Flynn Coates also of Snow Hill; and several cousins, with whom he enjoyed a close relationship: Linda Leishear, Connie Onley and Barbara Hudson. He is also survived by longtime friends - the Greene and Fry families.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 1, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Second Street, Lewes. Interment will be made privately in the church's Pilottown Road Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Union College, 310 College St., Barbourville, KY 40906, where Dr. Sturgis established a bequest to support the library, or to Primeros Pasos, 20648 Savannah Road, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Arrangements by Tolbert Funeral Chapel, Dover.
