Edward L. Sandlin, who died February 12, 2018, was born in Morgan County, Alabama on August 10, 1930 to Lester C. and Lola Rodgers Sandlin. He graduated from Falkville High School in 1948. He joined the US Navy in 1951 and was on active duty during the Korean War on the aircraft carrier USS Boxer. While in the Navy he served in Japan and played on a Championship football team, the Atsugi Flyers.
Ed married Gail Adcock in August 1956. They had two sons, Jeffrey, who died in 1978, Allen (Cindy McAllister), and two grandsons, Matthew and Andrew, all of Athens. He was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings, all deceased. Imogene King (Chester), Atlanta, Jack Sandlin (Willodine), of Somerville and JoAnn McPherson (Jimmy) Athens. He was an active member of the United Methodist Church.
A 1958 graduate, Jacksonville State College, he immediately went to work as assistant Manager of the Anniston Chamber of Commerce. In 1961, he was recruited by the Athens/Limestone County chamber of Commerce and Industrial Committee as their first Executive Director.
Under his leadership, the Athens Chamber of Commerce, along with neighboring Chambers, founded Calhoun Community College. He and other North Alabama Chamber directors organized the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourism Association. Under his leadership, the Athens group was able to expand the city limits, widen US 72 to Florence, started the annual Athens/Limestone Christmas parade, and develop additional industrial sites along with a thriving retail community.
He was recruited by the Selma/Dallas County Chamber of Commerce in 1966 as the Executive Director. In 1970, he returned to the Tennessee Valley to be Director of the Alabama/Tennessee Elk River Agency and managed the development of the Tims Ford Dam Project. He served 30 years as Manager of the Elkmont Rural Village.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, February 17, 2018 11:00 a.m., at the Athens United Methodist Church, Hobbs Street. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Alzheimer’s Association or First United Methodist Church.
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