Rodney Joseph Sandoz

Rodney Joseph Sandoz, of Long Beach, was called to be with God on January 20, 2013. He was 73 years old. Mr. Sandoz was born in New Orleans on September 6, 1939, attended De La Salle High School, and graduated from St. Stanislaus College in Bay St. Louis in 1957.
Mr. Sandoz was a resident of Long Beach for the past 48 years and retired in 2007 from Hancock Bank as a Senior Vice President after 50 years of dedicated service. He was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, where he contributed in numerous roles including Lector/Commentator, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, past President of the Parish Council, past St. Thomas School Board President, and a Liturgical and Financial Committee member. He was on the building committees and instrumental in the restoration of the parish and school facilities after both Hurricanes Camille and Katrina. He was a member and past Grand Knight of the St. Vincent de Paul Council 4898 Knights of Columbus, and a past Faithful Navigator for the Fr. John O'Connor Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He served the Mississippi State Jurisdiction of the Knights of Columbus as a District Deputy and past State Deputy. He was a former Vice President of the Long Beach Municipal School Board, and former Treasurer of the Gulfport Optimist Club and Long Beach Carnival Association. He was a member of the Mississippi Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, a member of the Mississippi Society of the War of 1812, a member of the Sam Davis Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and a member of the Italian Society of the Immaculate Conception.
Mr. Sandoz was preceded in death by his parents, Rodney Leonce Sandoz and Josephine Guagliardo Sandoz Michel. Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Josie Compretta Sandoz; his children, Mary Lynn Sandoz, Susanne (Matt) Payne, Rodney (Mena) L. Sandoz II, Natalie (Doug) Auger, and Samuel (Katie) Sandoz; eight grandchildren, Kathryn Payne, Mark Payne, Leah Sandoz, Michael Sandoz, Sarah Sandoz, Gabriel Sandoz, Kaitlyn Auger, and Brian Auger; a sister, Marie Beaugez, a brother, Sidney Sandoz, and a special member of the family, Emelyne Bingham.
Visitation will be Thursday, January 24, 2013, from 10 am - 12 noon at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Long Beach. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 noon in the church. Burial will be in Long Beach City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to St. Thomas Catholic Church, 720 East Beach Blvd., Long Beach, MS 39560 or St. Vincent de Paul School, 4321 Espy Ave., Long Beach, MS, 39560.
The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Long Beach, is in charge of arrangements and online tributes may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com