HUNTSVILLE — Edwin G. “Ed” Sandhop Jr. was born in Trinity on Dec. 6, 1923, to Edwin George Sandhop Sr. and Lillie Mae (Yarbrough) Sandhop. On July 27, 2010, he passed away in his home in Huntsville at age 86.

Ed is preceded in death by his father and mother. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Genevieve; a brother, John Sandhop and wife Marilyn; nephews; and a niece.

He went to Trinity Public Schools from 1931- 1941 and went on to receive his BBA from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville in 1949.

Ed married Genevieve Westfall of Trinity on Nov. 11, 1942.

He worked for H. E. Werner and Parker Furniture, Humble Oil & Refining Company and United Gas Corporation and retired from Gibbs Brothers & Company in Huntsville after working there for 57 years. Ed served his country in the U.S. Army Air Force “Flying Tigers” and received Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, American and China, Burma, and India Theater medals when he was honorably discharged in 1945 as a Staff Sgt.

Ed was actively involved in Huntsville, serving as president and board member at Huntsville Memorial Hospital; at Sam Houston State University as a member of the President’s Circle and a member of the Board of Trustees of the SHSU Development Foundation; served on the Board of Directors and also as Director of the Tourist Division at the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce; served the City of Huntsville as City Councilman and on the City of Huntsville Planning Commission. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors at Huntsville Savings & Loan Association and as member and Chairman on the Board of Directors at First National Bank in Huntsville. Ed was treasurer and board member of the First Christian Church in Huntsville; board member of the Methodist Retirement Services; United Fund board member and treasurer; secretary and board member of Robert A. Josey Hospital Fund and board member of Rita B. Huff Humane Society of Walker County.

Services for Ed will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 30, 2010, at First United Methodist Church in Huntsville, with Rev. Ron Sumter officiating. There will be a private interment. Family will receive friends from 5:30-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 29, 2010, at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Ella Smither Geriatric Center, 1115 Avenue O, Huntsville, Texas 77340 (936-295-0216); HEARTS Veterans Museum, 463 Hwy. 75 North, Huntsville, Texas 77320 (936-295-0277); Joe G. Davis School of Vocational Nursing, P.O. Box 4001, Huntsville, Texas  77342-4001 (936-291-3411) or a charity of your choice.

Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.shmfh.com