Joe Frese Sandlin

Joe Frese Sandlin, 83, of Anahuac, Texas, passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2017 in Baytown, Texas. He was born on February 18, 1934 in Houston, Texas to James “Shorty” and Minna Elles Frese (Bobby) Sandlin. Joe was a graduate of Anahuac High School and graduated from Texas A&M University in 1955, where he was a member of the Fighting Texas Aggie Band. He was also a graduate of the University of Texas Law School. Joe was a practicing attorney in Anahuac for over forty years. 

Joe was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Anahuac and served on the board for Chambers (Bayside) Memorial Hospital. He had many hobbies, some of which included hunting, fishing, golfing and cooking. While attending Texas A&M, Joe received his pilot’s license and flying was one of his favorite hobbies. 

Joe was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to many. He loved nothing more than to spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. 

Joe was preceded in death by his parents Shorty and Bobby Sandlin; his sister Patricia Pennington; and his brother James Hilary Sandlin, Jr. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 41 years Rita Harmon Sandlin of Anahuac; his sister Minna Marie Ashby of St. Petersburg, Florida; his brother-in-law Warren Y. Pennington of La Grange, Texas; his first wife Mildred Golden of Kingwood; his brother and sister-in-law Danny and Dixie Thompson of Anahuac; his son Joe Scott Sandlin and wife Susan of Humble; his daughter Carol Marie Heathcock and husband John of Mont Belvieu; his stepsons William Bryan Brown of Anahuac and Ronnie Joe Brown and wife Penny of Anahuac; his 10 grandchildren, Krista Moorman, Cullen Jackson, Courteney Jackson, Joseph Sandlin, Ben Sandlin, Ronnie Joe Brown, Jr., Melissa Brown Deppe, Delana Joe Brown, Cory Bryan Brown and Kirsti Brown Payne; his 16 great-grandchildren; and a host of other loving relatives and friends. 

Honoring the family by serving as pallbearers will be Michael Thompson, Kenneth Thompson, Danny Thomas, David Brock, Dave Willcox and Ollie Sandlin. Honorary pallbearers will be Barney Chambliss, Guy Robert Jackson and Walter Shearer. 

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 5pm until 7pm on Thursday, November 2, 2017 in the chapel of Sterling Funeral Home, 1201 S. Main Street in Anahuac. A funeral service will be held at 3pm on Friday, November 3, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church of Anahuac, 204 Trinity Street, Anahuac, Texas. A graveside service and committal will immediately follow in Abshier Cemetery in Devers.

For those desiring, charitable contributions in Joe’s honor may be made to the Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org/texas

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