Autry Glenn Sandlin
Autry “Glenn” Sandlin, 75, of Winnie, Texas, died Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, Texas. He was born on January 4, 1943 in Pasadena, Texas to Leo and Ellie (Decker) Sandlin and moved to Lufkin, Texas with his family in 1946. He graduated from Lufkin High School in 1960. After graduation he attended Southwestern University at Georgetown, Texas and Stephen F. Austin University at Nacogdoches, Texas. Despite the increased risk of military service during the Vietnam War, Glenn wanted to serve his country. In 1964 he enlisted in the United States Air Force and attended Russian language school at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York and then deployed to Turkey where he worked in Intelligence as a translator and linguist, attaining the rank of Sergeant before being honorably discharged in 1968. After his military service, Glenn completed his education at the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1970. He was employed in various accounting and finance roles throughout his career, ranging from Internal Auditor to Controller to Chief Financial Officer.
Anyone who knew Glenn could always expect a witty comment or “dad joke”. He loved life and loved to have fun. He was a charter member of the Krewe of Caesar in Metairie, Louisiana and was selected to serve as Emperor Caesar X during Mardi Gras in the Krewe’s 10th anniversary year.
Glenn always had a servant’s heart and a passion for volunteering with his church, the Jaycees, the Rotary Club, the Winnie-Stowell Noon Optimist Club, and the Golden Triangle Emmaus and Chrysalis Communities. After his retirement, he served with the Winnie-Stowell Volunteer Fire Department, American Legion Post 255, Kids Hope USA, the American Red Cross, the Chambers County Friends of the Library, and the American Cancer Society as a driver for cancer patients in the Road to Recovery program.
Glenn had a strong Christian faith. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Winnie-Stowell for 28 years. He loved attending church and being involved in the Methodist Men and the Chancel Choir. He was an original member of the Eleventh Hour men’s quintet and the handbell choir. He served as a counselor at Lakeview Church Camp and was formerly a certified lay speaker with the Southeast Texas District of the Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Even after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in January of 2018, Glenn participated as much as he could.
As a final act of service to others, Glenn donated his body to the Willed Body Program for teaching and scientific purposes at The University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern Medical School in Houston, Texas.
Glenn was fiercely loyal to and protective of his family. Left to cherish the many happy memories of his life are his wife of 34 years Mary Sandlin of Winnie, daughter Lisa Mann of Winnie, son Ryan and his wife Kellye Sandlin of Cypress; grandchildren Corbin and Carson Mann and Kathryn Sandlin; sister-in-law Sammye Anderson; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He is predeceased by his parents, brother Talmadge “Andy” Anderson and sister Jane Hancock. We will celebrate Glenn’s life on January 19, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church of Winnie-Stowell, 1708 TX-124, Winnie, Texas 77665. We encourage you to wear something purple to symbolize his fight against Alzheimer’s. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Diabetes Association or to the charity of your choice.
The family wishes to thank the Winnie-Stowell Volunteer Fire Department and EMS, ER staff of Riceland Hospital in Winnie, and the ER and CVICU staff of Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont for their excellent care during Glenn’s final days.