John Wescoat Sandlin

John Wescoat Sandlin, JD, MDiv, MEd, LLM entered into eternal rest September 8, 2024. Son of the Reverend John Lewis Sandlin and Eugenia Cleo Wescoat Sandlin, he was born on November 30, 1949.

Wescoat received his Bachelor’s Degree in History and his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina where he was president of the Student Union. After graduation, he became the youngest attorney to pass the South Carolina bar. He was a level headed expert debater, well remembered by peers in the Euphradian Society. During private law practice, he found himself drawn to healing his clients’ relationships rather than dividing them in legal conflict and he decided to pursue a divinity degree. While working for the District Attorney in Atlanta he obtained his Masters in Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Through his study of canon law he was drawn from his Protestant roots to Catholicism and he became a deacon in the Catholic Church. He seamlessly wove the two professions of law and ministry together.

Wescoat received a degree from Pepperdine Caruso Law in Mediation and Conflict Resolution. He was a gifted writer and homilist, one of his landmark papers being "Forgiving in Mediation: What Role?" Much of his legal work focused early on immigration law to help those needing political asylum. He was presented many pro bono awards for this work. He was a member of the SC Bar Association and was licensed to practice in many other states as well as the District of Columbia.

His childhood days were spent between the cities where his father's ministry had led them and his native Charleston. Each summer he attended a month at the Citadel Summer Camp for Boys where he embraced sailing, the salt sea air and visiting with cousins, aunts and uncles. He especially loved trips to Edisto Island.

He was a member of the Society of First Families of SC, 1670-1700, former member of the Huguenot Society of SC, Sons of the American Revolution and other historic societies. When asked to lecture, he reminded his audience that we are all immigrants into our country.

Wescoat had a dry sense of humor, loved music (played banjo and harmonica) and traveling the world. Above all he dearly loved his close knit family. He is survived by his wife, Dana Lynn Tait Sandlin, his sister, Sarah Rice Sandlin Stender, MD and two nieces, Sarah Rice Stender, MD and Elizabeth Grimball Stender.

He was predeceased by his sister, Sidney Frances Sandlin and his parents.

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365.