Meet Jacob

I was born right here in Sulphur at WCCH, delivered by Dr. Sallye Toniette. Years later, I had the honor of helping lay her to rest, the same woman who welcomed me into this world. That kind of full-circle moment stays with you.

 

I was raised by a hardworking single mother who worked at Phillips 66. I was blessed with uncles who believed in me enough to invest in my education at St. Louis Catholic, where I learned discipline, faith, and personal responsibility. I rodeoed in high school, which taught me perseverance and humility.

 

During high school and after college, for nearly 18 years, I was mentored by R.E. Odom, owner and operator of FR Ranch in Cameron Parish and Texas, a Louisiana rancher, businessman, and conservationist. He taught me stewardship, integrity, and the importance of doing things the right way, not the easy way. Running a ranch means managing land, people, equipment, and risk at the same time. You balance resources, plan for the long term, and protect what’s been entrusted to you.

 

That foundation shaped everything that came next. I went on to college in Houston, graduated on the Dean’s List with a 4.0, and became a funeral director. For the past decade, I’ve served families here in Sulphur, managing our local funeral home. When families trust you on the worst day of their lives, there’s no room for shortcuts. Details matter. Budgets matter. Staff matters. Accountability is immediate and personal. That’s the standard I believe city government should operate under.

 

I built my home here. I’m raising my daughter here. She started school in Sulphur in pre-K and is now preparing to enter eighth grade. I see this city through the lens of a parent, schools, neighborhoods, safety, opportunity. I want Sulphur to be a place where our kids can succeed, and a place they choose to return to when they’re ready to build their own lives.

 

I wasn’t handed a political network or a silver spoon. I learned leadership by running real operations, managing real people, and living with real consequences. That’s how I’ll run this city, steady leadership, disciplined management, clear priorities, and respect for the people who pay the bills.

 

– Jacob J. Stutes