Jerry Edward Sandifer

A celebration of life for Jerry Edward Sandifer, 78, of Monroe, LA, will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, October 10, 2024, at the Northeast Louisiana Veterans’ Cemetery in Rayville, LA, with Rev. R. B. Moore officiating.

Jerry was born on October 22, 1945, and passed away on October 3, 2024, at home surrounded by his family after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. 

A determined and resourceful child, he was always tinkering on a project, most notably rebuilding the engine of a 1940 Ford in his bedroom. Jerry graduated from Ouachita Parish High School in 1963, where he met and fell in love with Sue Lynn Nixon, the classmate of his younger sister Pam. After graduation, he volunteered to serve his country in the United States Navy for three tours during the Vietnam War as a ship’s photographer. He served on the USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) off the coast of Vietnam, where he captured images of bombing runs, civilians, and fellow service members. On leave, he loved to travel to the Philippines or Hawaii, where he hiked and photographed the beautiful mountains and people. He always sent home gifts to Sue Lynn, especially beautiful orchids. Upon his return home, he graduated from Northeast Louisiana University in 1974, where he was head of the photo lab. 

Jerry was a photographer for seventeen years and owned his own studio, “The Lens Gallery,” where he shot portraits as well as product ads for Olin Kraft, Bancroft, Hanelines, and other local businesses. Jerry also worked for CCI and LDS who later merged with Century Telephone, where he worked for twenty years as a traffic analyst. 

He could do anything: plumbing, electrical work, and especially carpentry. No task was too big or too small, from renting a backhoe to building a swimming pool, to crafting custom drawers in their remodeled kitchen. He remained a lifelong antique car enthusiast who always had a classic in the driveway to work on. Jerry was truly a jack of all trades and a master of many. 

He attended St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, always willing to lend a hand with any project. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Bernice Hale and J.A. Sandifer, Jr.; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Florence Kelly and James Robert Nixon, Jr.. grandparents, Rosa Carrie Hendricks and Edward E. Hale, and Minnie Keene and Jasper Amascus Sandifer, Sr.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Sue Lynn Nixon Sandifer; their two children, Julia Lynn Sandifer Kicey (Russell) and Michael Edward Sandifer (Katherine); four grandchildren, McKenna Sinclair Kicey and fiancé, Hage Work, Michael Dixon Sandifer, Nicholas Daniel Kicey, and William Frère Sandifer; and his sister, Pamela Rose Sandifer Brunet; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many special friends. 

Honorary Pallbearers will be Louis Price, Jeff Touzet, and Joseph Daoust.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Louisiana Hospice, in particular, Caitlin Crow, St. Francis Medical Center, Dr. Kerry Anders, and Dr. Coy Gammage and staff. 

Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Mission Projects.