Kimberly Ellen Sandor Wesson

Kimberly Ellen Sandor Wesson, 55, of Englewood, Fla., died unexpectedly at home Tuesday, June 5, 2012.



Kim was born on May 30, 1957 in Pittsburgh, Pa. to Frank A. Sandor, Jr. and Anita J. Shahan Sandor. 



Kim was a 1975 National Honor Society graduate of Grafton High School, Grafton, W.Va. where she was an accomplished student body vice president, who participated in band, choir, theatre, and school newspaper activities. Also, she served as a Candy Striper.

She was state winner of the W.Va. Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy Program essay contest, which led to appointment as a candidate for the first female class at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. 



Kim attended West Virginia University (WVU) and graduated with honors in 1980. She earned a B.S. in Journalism with emphasis in public relations (PR) and minors in communications, psychology, business and economics from WVU’s Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism. She completed Masters courses in business administration while employed by the Student Programming Division of WVU.

Kim became a reporter, staff writer and photographer for the Mountain Statesman newspaper in Grafton, 1982-83; and covered press events for President George H.W. Bush. 



Upon moving to Florida, Kim was PR Director, graphic artist, and photographer for Huntco of Marco, Inc. and Sea Oats Beach Club in Englewood.

A state licensed real estate agent, she joined Kroh Brothers Development Company of Tampa as Marketing Coordinator. Later she was an active partner with husband Jim in operating Flamingos, a collectibles retail store in Sarasota, and owning eight Subway restaurants and Cafe 776.

Recently, she designed their newly opened Parrotfish Grille in Englewood. For the past five years, Kim was a highly qualified language arts teacher for gifted middle school students in Sarasota County Schools, and served as advisor for student government and yearbook. She was also certified to teach elementary school as well as grades 6-12 English, journalism, and social science. 



Kim always helped others and touched countless lives in many communities. In 2004, she was a medical mission team volunteer in the Amazon region of Peru. A member of Englewood United Methodist Church, she enjoyed adult Bible study and led Bible school crafts. Kim’s passions included photography, music, collecting, creative arts, writing, and most of all her family.



Survivors include her husband of 27 years, James M. Wesson; three children, James M. Wesson, II of Gainesville, Fla.; Daniel J. Wesson of Englewood; Natalie N. Wesson of Englewood; her father, Frank A. Sandor, Jr. of Englewood; brother, Frank A. Sandor, III of Grafton; sisters, Kristina M. Grimes of Woodbridge, Va. and Della N. Sandor of Alexandria, Va.; and four nieces, Kelly A., Casey M. and Erin E. Grimes of Woodbridge, Va., and Lauren Nicole Sandor of Morgantown.



A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 1 p.m. in the Englewood United Methodist Church sanctuary, 700 East Dearborn Street, Englewood, Fla. 34223.