James "Jimmy" E. Sandlin

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, September 17, 2023 in Delhomme Funeral Home - Chapel of the Flowers for James Eugene “Jimmy” Sandlin, 70, who passed away on September 14, 2023. James Eugene “Jimmy” Sandlin entered this world on December 30, 1952 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and departed for the next on September 14th at the age of 70. He was a man who possessed an enviable amount of cool and even more luck. Born ambidextrous and with a seemingly innate familiarity for a deck of cards, he was the kind of person who terrified casinos and his golf partners alike. A graduate of LSU, he maintained his love for the Tigers, the Houston Astros, and his SAE brothers throughout his life. His luck held until the end when he passed away peacefully, listening to his favorite music, surrounded by his loving wife Leslie, with whom he spent the past 41 glorious years, and in the comfort of their three children, Kirby, Shelby and Maxwell. Jimmy was a social butterfly and natural extrovert, able to easily navigate any social situation and maintain his authentic ease. He was a smooth talker, in large part because he was one of the world’s greatest listeners. These abilities afforded him professional success as an oil industry and construction executive. They also ensured he was a regular fixture at social events in Lafayette and during Mardi Gras celebrations as a long-standing member of the Krewe of Gabriel and Brigands de Lafitte. Jimmy had a generous soul – he never turned his back on a friend in need and contributed anonymously throughout his life to organizations across Acadiana. It was not his drive that beat you but rather his precision on the golf course. Despite his wiggly backswing, he was a sniper with his irons. Although he swung right-handed, he putted with his left, perpetually confounding his opponents. His posture on the golf course carried into his life – enjoy it when it’s going your way, and shake it off when it’s not. Above all, Jimmy loved his family, his people, and a good time – a reminder to the rest of us not to sweat the small stuff. The past 14 months have been very difficult for Jimmy and his family following his pancreatic cancer diagnosis. He participated in an experimental treatment called Dendritic Cell Immunotherapy through Baylor - St. Luke’s in Houston, and his contributions to the trial will surely go on to save the lives of countless individuals suffering from the same disease. In the words of his doctor, “We will remember him and remain grateful for all that he did for us.” His steadfast and loving caretaker, Leslie, was by his side at every step of the journey. To quote a close family friend, Jimmy and Leslie shared “the strongest love I have ever seen.” In spite of the cancer, Jimmy never lost his joie de vivre. He continued to laugh, cry, joke and reminisce with his friends and family until the very end. Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth & Cecil Sandlin, his in-laws, Louis & Elaine Mann, and his goddaughter, Christine Sandlin. He is survived by his wife, Leslie Sandlin, the love of his life, his daughters, Kirby Schroeder and Shelby Sandlin, and their husbands, Scot Schroeder and Davey Jewell, his son, Maxwell and his wife, Mallory, his grandchildren – Adler, Nela, Wells, Ruby, and Leo. He’s also survived by his two brothers, Carl and Cecil Sandlin, as well as many nieces and nephews and his beloved girls, Lucy Lou and Lily. The family would like to extend special thanks to Lisa and Michael Breaux, Sudie and Benny Mann, Sandy and David Mann, Ainsley Breaux King and Matthew Breaux, neighbors of Dunreath, Elmo “June” Breaux, Dr. Phillip Prouet, Dr. Jimmy Bienvenu, Dr. Benjamin Musher, Dr. George Van Buren and the team at Baylor - St. Luke’s. We would like to thank the Cramer family that continues to open their Houston home and their hearts to us. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home - Chapel of the Flowers on Sunday, September 17, 2023 from 12:00PM until the time of service. ln lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Jimmy’s memory to the Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine. Select ‘Pancreatic Fund’ via the link below. http://www.givebcm.org/sandlin Personal condolences may be sent to the Sandlin family at: www.delhommefuneralhome.com James "Jimmy" E. Sandlin and his family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA.

James "Jimmy" E. Sandlin

December 30, 1952 - September 14, 2023