Thomas Cleveland Bass, Sr.

Mr. Thomas Cleveland Bass Sr., age 83, of Sanford, FL, passed away surrounded by loved ones on October 17, 2021. He was born on November 24, 1937, in Bell, FL, to James Morgan and Mae (Brock) Bass. As a child, the family moved to central Florida, and he spent much of his life there. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Army where he earned an award as an expert rifleman. After returning from his service, Cleveland began working as a combiner then as a carpenter. He was a talented handyman and worked for High Acres Service Group. He was an avid fisherman, especially freshwater fishing, and he also enjoyed cooking. Cleveland was notorious for providing smoked meat and pies on holidays and for family gatherings, and his macaroni and cheese and homemade ice cream was always everyone’s favorite. He was also a champion at horseshoes, bowling, and later in life, corn hole. Cleveland also loved genealogy and took pride in maintaining his family plots at Jennings Lake Cemetery. He had several relatives who didn’t have headstones on their graves and Cleveland had headstones made for them. Family meant everything to him. He was a loving father and papa and will be deeply missed. He is preceded in death by his parents; and his son and daughter in law Thomas Jr. and Rosemary Bass; as well as 7 other brothers and sisters.

Cleveland is survived by his daughters, Tammy Bass of Sanford and Tabatha Phillips of Lockhart, FL; his grandchildren, Tiffany (Ken) Peery of Apopka, Travis Towner of Lockhart, FL, Sabrina Whaley of Michigan, and Trina Bass of Tennessee; great grandchildren, Hayden, Elijah, Jaxson, and 7 great grandchildren; his siblings, Marceil Hammons of Alabama, and Pat (Ernell) Bass of Ridgemanor; and the mother of his children, Peggy Bass of Apopka, and a host of extended family also survive.
A funeral service to honor Cleveland’s life will be held on Monday, October 25, at 2:00 pm at the Watson-Milton Funeral Home in Trenton, FL. The family will receive friends for a viewing beginning at 1:00 pm at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest, with military honors, at Jennings Lake Cemetery following the funeral. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Watson-Milton Funeral Home, Trenton, FL. 352-463-8888. www.WatsonMilton.com