Louis Sullivan Obituary

Louis B. Sullivan

Resident of Cottonwood, CA

July 31, 1925-Oct. 19, 2010

Lou died peacefully at his ranch with loved ones at his side. In July he celebrated his 85th birthday in San Jose among his long time friends, a happy occasion.

He was born and raised in San Jose, the son of Helen and Tim Sullivan. He was introduced to horses and ranching by his dad, Tim Sullivan, who was seen many times riding in San Jose Parades. The love of horses and ranching continued and his dream of having his own ranch was hatched. He moved to his ranch in Cottonwood in 1995. Lou was a graduate of the New Mexico Military Institute. After graduation he attended Stanford University for a brief time, joining the U.S Army Air Corps. Returning from Military Service he attended Stanford University, graduating in 1949. After graduation he joined with Jim Sanders and the two started Sanders and Sullivan Insurance Agency. They were partners for 27 years before merging the agency with a world-wide brokerage.

Traveling the world over was his passion and he was an avid sailor. Sailing his boat through the Panama Canal or just spending a lazy day on the San Francisco Bay, with dinner at the St. Francis Yacht Club gave him great pleasure

He will be missed and remembered as a kind, generous and faithful person by all who knew him, particularly by his ranch manager and family who were his 'family', Roger and Lourdes Da Fonseca and their daughters Sandra and Deanna.

At his request no services will be held. Interment is private. Contributions in his memory can be made to the charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Oct. 28, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Louis Sullivan

8 Entries

Janet Tompkins

October 17, 2022

Lou Sullivan was a wonderful friend. I met him in the 60´s when he got his sailboat "Blue Water". In addition to being a fine , generous person, he was also a perfect gentleman. I remember once bumping into him as he dashed over to open the door for me to get out of his car. He was also an excellent cook and host . He was a one of a kind. I feel so lucky to have known him. I last visited him at his ranch just before he died while driving back from Ashland. RIP Louie, you will never be forgotten and there will never be anyone as incredible as you.

Kitty Marshall Washburne

December 26, 2020

Wonderful memories of summer in 1949:) So glad to know he and Jim had long , happy successful lives , during the best of times. Our generation was the lucky one, all things considered. Prayers for a future as fortunate for this generation.

Karen Sanders Noe

November 11, 2010

Lou Sullivan was a kind and loyal gentelman that I am grateful to have known all my life. He was "Uncle Lou" to me and my brothers and sisters, and a devoted freind to my father Jim Sanders and my mother Mary Sanders. His sailing trips in the San Francisco Bay were simply amazing, sometimes frightening but always an adventure, particularly when he let us little ones take turns at the wheel. We did not get to see him much after he moved to Cottenwood, but I remember how excited we all were when ever Uncle Lou came to visit. I will miss his laugh and the twinkle in his eyes. We love you Uncle Lou, always.

November 10, 2010

We always called my Dad's business partner "Uncle Lou" as he treated us 5 kids like family. He was generous, gracious, and charming. I was fortunate to bring my kids to his ranch several years ago and he proudly gave us a jeep tour of his herd of cattle. I have many wonderful memories of Uncle Lou since my childhood. Leslie Sanders Connell

Jim Sanders

November 8, 2010

Lou & I met as new cadets at New Mexico Military Institute in 1941 when we were just 15 years old, and our life-long friendship began. We served in different branches of the Armed Services in WW II. After the war, we traveled to Europe on a freighter & had the "grand tour" with many memorable experiences.

We attended Stanford University together & formed our business partnership, Sanders & Sullivan Insurance Brokerage, in 1951. This wonderful partnership lasted for 27 years when we sold to an international firm.

I have never known a man so widely respected and admired for his integrity and friendship. He was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. He achieved much success & retired to his ranch where he enjoyed many years. His ranch "family", the Da Fonsecas, were such an important part of his life, and I thank them for their love and kindness. Also, a sincere "thank you" to Lou's long-time friend, John Turco, for all he has done.

It has been my privilege to have had such an outstanding man as Lou as my life-long friend, and I will miss him.

Beverly Douglas

October 29, 2010

Lou Sullivan was a great neighbor to our family in San Jose. We lived around the corner from him. My Dad was a colleaque of Lou's in the insurance business. When Lou built a beautiful swimming pool and pool house, he offered the use of it to our family. We had many happy times enjoying his generous offer, and getting to know his Mother and occasionally having a visit with him. We found him to be an exceptionally kind and thoughtful person and missed him when he moved to his ranch.
I will always remember Mr. Sullivan as a friend who shared his beautiful yard and pool with a young family for much enjoyment and recreation. For a 10 yr old girl, he made a lasting impression in my childhood years!

October 27, 2010

It must have been the early 60's when I first met Lou Sullivan. He had a black sailboat named "Valencia." Chan Chrisman suggested that he contact my husband, Warwick Tompkins, as he wanted to make some changes to improve the boat's sailing performance. That was the start of a friendship which has lasted approximately 50 years. I don't think there is anyone I admired more than Lou Sullivan. It seemed to me that he had every virtue, every positive human quality. He was generous and kind, witty and intelligent, loyal to his friends and a perfect gentleman always. You could count on him to jump to his feet when a lady entered the room. He would help you on with your coat, open the car door for you, and pull out your chair when you wanted to sit down. I loved it. Being such a gentleman,Lou was greatly perplexed when Womens' Lib came along and some women started accusing him of demeaning them with his excessive chivalry. Eventually, Lou bought another boat "Blue Water" which was docked on the East Coast somewhere. He hired my husband to bring it around to San Francisco for him. The only problem was that we were expecting our child to be born around the first of March, 1968. There were problems and delays during the voyage and Lou was so worried about the situation that phoned me just about every day and was prepared to drive me to the hospital if the boat did not arrive in time. As it turned out, "Blue Water" arrived on Feb. 28th and our daughter, Erin Gale, was born on March 6th, much to Lou's relief. Lou eventually sold "Blue Water" and moved to his ranch in Cottonwood. I did not see him as often after that, but occasionally would visit. Those times were memorable as Lou was always a gracious host, not only pulling out chairs and opening car doors, but cooking delicious meals and driving us all around to show us the ranch and the countryside. Lou was a unique person, a one of a kind. I sometimes think he should have gone into politics. The most diligent investigative reporter never could have found any dirt on Lou Sullivan. He was as close to a paragon as I have ever known. I consider myself fortunate to have known him and been his friend. I will surely never forget him.
Janet Tompkins, Pt. Richmond, Calif.

Sue McKean

October 26, 2010

Lou Sullivan will be remembered as a wonderful, thoughtful neighbor and friend. His was greatly loved and cared for by his Rosewood family. Sue

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