James Lamar Sasser

Jim grew up in humble beginnings during the depression with his two older siblings and parents. These were tough times. Even at a very young age he was enterprising. During WWII he found odd jobs such as going house-to-house with his wagon to collect hangars or newspapers, and when he got older, he began caddying at the city golf course. On a good day, he might get a soda pop at the watering hole and maybe a nickel for a tip. This began of his love of golf, which he thoroughly enjoyed and excelled at for most of his life.

At sixteen Jim went to work for Falstaff Brewery in New Orleans. He worked there for 30 years, moving from office boy to management. After marriage, Lois and Jim settled in New Orleans close to their extended families. In 1954 – with three young boys and Lois pregnant – Falstaff transferred the family to St. Louis, Missouri. The move was quite a change, moving from their families and the deep South to changing seasons and cold winters. Jim had a great sense of purpose and drive to provide for his family and succeed in life. He attended night school at St. Louis University to improve himself and further his opportunities.

The family stayed in St. Louis until 1972 when Jim was transferred again, this time to Galveston, TX. At great risk, Jim decided to leave Falstaff and he and Lois gambled everything to open a grocery store in Pirates Beach. Through extremely hard work, their businesses expanded to include a delicatessen, gift shop, liquor store, and the gift shops at the San Luis and Key Largo hotels.

Jim and Lois loved to travel and have many wonderful memories visiting England, Europe, Russia and cruising. He was a fan of Shakespearean plays. He was known for his many colorful sayings to the amusement of the whole family. Perhaps the most used and valued, “do everything in moderation”.

Jim worked hard throughout his life. He was a practical and pragmatic man who loved the logic of things and was happy to debate to prove a point. He was always very confident in his views – a trait he passed to his children and grandchildren. Jim had a relentless spirit. Lois describes him well, “he had a strong sense of duty, a clear understanding of right and wrong, and a steadfastness that you could always rely on.”

He loved his wife more than anything and his greatest purpose was to take care of her. He absolutely treasured Lois and said many times that he didn’t know what he had done to deserve her.

They had a long marriage, raised five children, made it through trying times, and also many, many happy times. He loved his family deeply and his life’s work was to make sure he left them in a better spot in the world than from where he started. He was loved by his wife, his children and had a very special place in the hearts of his grandchildren. The entire family will treasure his memory and miss him greatly.

James Lamar Sasser, Sr. is preceded in death by his mother and father, brother, Russell and sister, Vivian. Jim’s greatest source of pride and his legacy is his family. He is survived by his wife, five children, sixteen grandchildren and thirty (plus one on the way) great grandchildren.

The Sasser family is very grateful for all of Mr. Sasser’s caregivers and the entire staff at Landon Ridge Assisted Living. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim’s name to “The Ronald McDonald House of Galveston” or “Homes for Our Troops”.

A visitation for James will be held Tuesday, February 7, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, February 7, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077. A committal service for family only will occur Tuesday, February 7, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestparkwestheimer.com for the Sasser family.