On Sunday, May 22, 2011, Phillip Laurie "Sonny" Sandel, III passed away at Cypress Glen Nursing Home in Port Arthur at the age of 83. Sonny was an extraordinary person who never complained, never had an enemy, had a great sense of humor and was a Christian in every respect. Born a victim of severe cerebral palsy, nonetheless, he attended Hughen School in Port Arthur and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. Even though he could not speak clearly, he communicated by the use of a typewriter keyboard in a way that enabled him to demonstrate what the mind of a physically disabled person can achieve. Sonny's incredible existence was facilitated by his own love of life together with the devotion of his parents, Monique Phillip Laurie Sandel, II and his aunt, Pauline Bird. Moreover, a very special group of persons who assisted in his care over the years consisted of Claudie Arceneaux (his number one caretaker lady and dearest friend), her husband, Oliver Arceneaux, Sylvania "Bonnie" Johnson, Virginia Chavis and Chris Thierry. His best childhood friends, Anita Higginbotham of Groves, Texas and Dolores Bruce of Little Rock, Arkansas survived him as did his cousins, Pat and Leon Sandel and Missy and Gerald Sinacher. Sonny was a member of the Wesley Bible class at the United Methodist Temple in Port Arthur and his chief shepherd from that class was Alice Clark. The staffs of Odyssey Health Care and Cypress Glen Nursing Home are commended on the manner in which they helped to provide for Sonny in his later years. On Wednesday, May 25, 2011, the Dr. Jesse M. Brannen, Jr. will conduct services for Phillip Laurie Sandel, III at the United Methodist Temple in Port Arthur at 11:00 a.m. with visitation to take place between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and entombment to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum in Port Arthur.
Condolences
Anonymous
May 26, 2011
Sonny was my cousin by marriage "Patricia Ann Sandel (Pat)". We met in Center, Texas at his grandparents' anniversary. I was the girlfriend of Leon Sandel, Sonny's cousin. Sonny and I became instant friends that last the rest of his life. We corresponded at least once a month. I will miss him forever. My life was blessed with Sonny being part of it and I truly loved our relastionship and am thankful for this. God bless our Sonny.
Anonymous
May 24, 2011
I remember as a young boy going on vacation to visit my Grand Parents, Edwin and Loretta Sandel in Oklahoma City. We would always stop a night or two in Port Arthur to see Sonny and family. I was always amazed at the happiness Sonny exhibited in spite of his disability. He was always laughing and having a good time. He loved, loved, loved my mother Patricia, and she loved him as well. I think they wrote each other every month for as long as I've been alive. In fact, he will never get to read the last letter she wrote just last week. We should all live by Sonny's example of not letting life beat you down, even though you have every excuse in the world to give up. He lived life every single day like there wouldn't be tomorrow. I wish I was more like him! Good Bye Sonny. We all will miss you dearly. Scott Sandel
Anonymous
May 23, 2011
Sonny was a wonderful, smart man with a overflowing sense of humor that illuminated his life in everything he did. I worked as a driver and companion for Sonny for several years and was deeply saddened to hear of his passing. I am proud to have known Sonny and consider him a friend and a third grandfather.