Thomas Lyle Shanafelt 1947-2012 Thomas L. Shanafelt, 64, of Bradenton, Fla., beloved husband of Linda (Graves) Shanafelt, passed peacefully on Monday, February 6th at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida in Gainesville after a long illness and courageous fight. He was born August 20th 1947 in Niles, Mich., the son of Katherine Shanafelt and the late Jules Shanafelt. He graduated from Manatee High School in 1965 and enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served most proudly as a member of the US Air Force Honor Guard in Washington, DC. Following his service to his country, he chose to serve his community where he spent nearly thirty years as a law enforcement officer in Manatee County. He started his career in Anna Maria, served with distinction as the Chief of Police for the City of Holmes Beach Police Department and retired as a Deputy Sheriff with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. Besides his loving wife of almost 38 years, Tom leaves behind two sons, Thomas Lyle Shanafelt II and his wife Joy of Bradenton, Fla., and Louis Sloane Shanafelt and his wife Lesley of Orlando, Fla. He is also survived by his mother, Katherine Shanafelt of Ft. Collins, Colo.; a brother and his wife, Gary and Chris Shanafelt of Estes Park, Colo.; a sister and her husband, Kathy and Gene Watkinson of Ft. Collins, Colo., a grandson, Thomas Lyle Shanafelt III, and a granddaughter, Avery Grace Shanafelt; as well as three nephews. In addition he leaves behind his wife's Bennington family, Hope J. Graves, Lodie Ann and Jim Colvin, Judith and Bill Knight and many more nieces and nephews. A memorial visitation will be held Saturday, February 11th between the hours of 6 to 8 p.m. in Bradenton, FL where the family will receive friends. A private graveside service for family will be held at a later date in Bennington, VT. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the International Myeloma Foundation, 12650 Riverside Dr. Suite 206, North Hollywood, CA 91607 or @ myeloma.org (findagrave.com)