Natividad "Nat" Sanchez

Natividad "Nat" Sanchez 72, of Vaughn, NM passed away at his home Tuesday, June 10, 2014 following an illness. Nat was born April 26, 1942 in Duran, NM to the home of Jose Antonio and Consepcion (Valencia) Sanchez. He grew up in Duran and graduated from Encino High School in 1961. Nat married Maria Dolores Aragon on August 11, 1962. They made their home in Vaughn. He was employed with Hodges Oil Company for 19 years before joining E.N.M.R. Telephone Co-Op where he worked for 20 years. Nat was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, a 3rd Degree Knight, a Captain with the Vaughn Fire Department, served on the Vaughn School Board for eight years, and the Vaughn Housing Authority Board. Nat also ranched at Pinos Wells and enjoyed deer hunting. He is preceded in death by his parents, and two nephews Gary Dean Archibeque, and Vincent Sanchez. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Dolores Sanchez of the family home in Vaughn, three daughters Josephine Baca of Alamogordo, Kristine Hansen and husband Pete of Albuquerque, Natalie Tenorio and husband Curt of Edgewood, one son Natividad Sanchez and his wife Marie of Edgewood, and a son-in-law Frank Baca of Alamogordo, also surviving are seven siblings, three brothers Joe (Alice) Sanchez of Albuquerque, Don (Bernice) Sanchez of Vaughn, Abenicio (Stella) Sanchez of Indian Hills, NM, four sisters Luggi (Paul) Madrid of Vaughn, Barbara (Norbert) Archibeque of Vaughn, Dora (Ramon) Marquez of Moriarty, and Sandra (G.P.) Sandoval of Albuquerque, nine grandchildren Dominique Calderon of Alamogordo, Sonya Baca of Alamogordo, Natalie Hansen of Albuquerque, Andrea Snyder of San Diego, California; Zachary Tenorio, Lexie Tenorio, Monique Sanchez, Isaiah Sanchez, and Isaac Sanchez all of Edgewood, along with 13 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. A rosary will be recited at 7pm Friday, June 13, 2014 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Vaughn, NM. Mass will be celebrated at 10am Saturday, June 14, 2014 from the church with Father Paul Nkumbi officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Vaughn, NM. Pallbearers will include his three brothers Joe, Don, and Abenicio Sanchez, and three grandsons Zachary Tenorio, Isaiah Sanchez, Isaac Sanchez, and great-grandson Arturo Baca, honorary bearers will include Norbert Archibeque, Jason Sanchez, Andrew Oliver, Johnny Sanders, Joseph Aragon, Abran Sandoval, Martin Sanchez, and all his many relatives and friends. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311.