James (Jim) Swan Sandstrum of Searcy, Arkansas departed this life to live with his Lord and Master on March 17, 2010.
He was born January 18, 1928 in Dexter Kansas to Frank Roy Sandstrum and Bessie Townsend Sandstrum. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sisters Helen Louise Brown, Frances Marie Allen and infant sister, step daughter Barbara Faye Cohlmia.
He is survived by his wife Ethel Faye McCool Sandstrum,Sisters, Betty Jean Isbell of Wichita, Kansas and Phyllis Joy Hoyt of Dexter, Kansas, step children James Samuel Grimes, Cynthia Kay Person, grandchildren Michael Dean Person, Jay Bennie Person and Jamie Marie Person.
He is alumni of University of Wichita, BA, Kansas State University, BS in Civil Engineering, Washburn University, Business Law, Devry Technical Institute in electronics.
He served in the US Army Air corps and Air Force. He served 2 years under age and no record existed of this time served. Served: European Theater of Operations ,Lakenheath Air Force Base England and Alaskan Air Defense Command, Elmendorf Air Base. Anchorage Medals. WW II Victory Medal & European Theater Honorably discharged March 1, 1949.
His hobbies were fishing, hunting, rock collecting, Astronomy, model airplanes and model railroads.
He had memberships and licenses with Immanuel Baptist Church, Pine Bluff, Ar. (member), American Legion Post 232, Pine Bluff (member), Street, Water and Sewer Committee, White Hall, Licensed Professional Engineer in states of Arkansas and Kansas, and Member of the Good Sams Club.
His assignments at the Pine Bluff Arsenal were. Director, Engineer & Housing directorate, Special Project Engineer. Engineering and Technology. Special Project Engineer, Directorate of Contracting. Special Project Engineer for Commander. He retired January 3, 1998.
He tended steam locomotive for Missouri Pacific Railroad two nights a week. Worked 1949 to 1951 for Boeing Aircraft Company on development of B-47. He was a draftsman, Surveyor and Civil Engineer for Finney & Turnipseed, Topeka. Kansas. He was project engineer for Cooper communities at Bella Vista, Cherokee Village and Hot Springs Village. Served as Deputy Sheriff for Garland County at Hot Springs Village and started the Volunteer Fire Department for the Village. He was also the Construction Inspector for Blaylock, Threet, Phillips and Associates at Little Rock, Ar.
His work history was Structural Steel shop Detailer, Finney & Turnipseed, 1951-58, Professional Engineer, Finney and Turnipseed Consulting Engineers, 1962-66, Bridge Engineer, J. A. Tobnin construction Co. 1966-68. Project Engineer. Cooper Communities Inc. 1968-73. Director, Engineering and Construction, Hot Springs Village Property Owners Assn 1973-75. Chief Engineer, Horseshoe Development Corporation 1975-78. Partner, Mulhollen & Associates, Consulting Engineers 1979-80. Civil Engineer U. S. Army Pine Bluff Arsenal. Pine Bluff, Ar. 1981-98. Construction Inspector, Blaylock Threet and Assoc. Little Rock. 1998-99.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, March 20, 2010 with visitation from 10:00 A.M. until service time. Burial will follow at Lost Creek Cemetery.