Gilbert Sanchez Sr.

Gilbert Sanchez Sr., 74 of Fort Sumner was born September 23, 1939 in Dahlia, NM to the home of Abelino and Enriqueta (Nelson) Sanchez. He passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2014 at the Guadalupe County Hospital following an illness. Gilbert grew up on the family ranch in Dahlia, NM, he attended schools in Anton Chico, NM and later in Santa Rosa where he graduated in 1958. Gilbert enlisted in the U.S. Army and later transferred to the New Mexico National Guard where he served a combined 38 years of military service. Gilbert married Dolores Lucero on June 25, 1960 in Fort Sumner. They made their home in Fort Sumner. Gilbert worked for Carr Lumber Company, on area ranches, and retired in 1988 after 28 years with the New Mexico State Highway Department, Department of Transportation. Following his retirement he helped area ranchers when they needed a hand, branding, building fence, or any other ranch work they needed help with. Following the death of his wife on February 2, 1982, Gilbert took on the task of raising his 11 children as a single parent. Gilbert was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner, a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Knights of Columbus Council 8331, and the American Legion Post at Lake Sumner. He enjoyed watching western movies, tooling leather, welding, and constantly repairing his stock trailer. Gilbert is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and a brother Harold Sanchez, his mother and father in law Leandro and Alberta Gonzales and Fabian and Aurelia Lucero, sisters-in-law, Lucy Blea, Linda Gonzales, brother in law Leo Perea. Survivors include his eleven children, Jesse Sanchez of Fort Sumner, Danny Sanchez of Fort Sumner, Gilbert "Hoss" Sanchez and his wife Christine of Santa Rosa, David P. Sanchez and his wife Janet of Fort Sumner, Anthony Sanchez and his wife Patricia of San Diego, CA, Ricky Sanchez and his wife Jennifer of Fort Sumner, Lawrence Sanchez of Santa Rosa, four daughters Stephanie Bugg and her husband Billy of Lexington Park, MD, Anna Sanchez of Fort Sumner, Christine Murphy and her husband Raymond of Leavenworth, KS, and Debbie Nieto and her husband Joseph of Rio Rancho, also surviving are two brothers Joe Sanchez of Glorieta, NM, Billy Sanchez and his wife Rita of Sena, NM, three sisters Emily Brassel and her husband Albert of Denver, CO, Antonia Salas and her husband Antonio of Portales, Mary Lucero and her husband Jimmy of Albuquerque, and a niece raised as a sister, Judy Sanchez of Aurora, CO. Other survivors include 21 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren along with a host of nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends. Visitation hours will be Monday and Tuesday from 1pm to 6pm at the funeral home. A rosary will be recited at 7pm Tuesday, July 8, 2014 from St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner, NM. Mass will be celebrated from the church at 10am Wednesday, July 9, 2014 with Father Paul Nkumbi officiating. Military honors will follow the funeral Mass. Pallbearers will be his grandsons Christopher Sanchez, Joaquin Sanchez, Nick Sanchez, Michael Nieto, Jesse Nieto, Ernesto Nieto, Matthew Bugg, Ronnie Scott Wylie, Dymond McDaniel, Ryan Murphy, Dakota Murphy, Luis Sanchez, Carlo Sanchez, and Richard Sanchez Jr. Honorary bearers will include Henry Saiz, Billy Wertheim, Dale Burge, Kelly Mitchell, R.T. Sena, Eddie Pena, Bill Ortiz, Fred Gauna, Benny Segura, Melton Hawthorne, and all his friends. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute or sign the guest book go to www.chavezfuneralhome.com