Adolph Sanchez

Adolph Sanchez, 87 a longtime Fort Sumner resident died Thursday, May 31, 2001 at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis following an illness. Mr. Sanchez was born April 20, 1914 in Canada Colorada, New Mexico to the home of Miguel Sanchez and the former Victoriana Lopez. He was reared and attended schools in west Texas, Clovis and Fort Sumner. Adolph was a veteran of World War II; he served in the U.S. Army, 14th Headquarters Detachment, Special Troops, with the Fourth Army Division. He was a Medium tank crewman and served during the Aleutians Campaign. He served from October 15, 1941 until his honorable discharge on December 14, 1944. Adolph married Fedelena Garcia on May 6, 1946 in Santa Rosa, NM they made their home in Fort Sumner in 1954. Adolph went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad at the age of 16, where he worked as a machine operator. He also worked as a section hand. Adolph retired from the railroad in 1975. In 1978 Adolph secured a Mail Route and delivered the mail daily from Fort Sumner to Taiban and House, NM for 17 years. He was a member of AFLCIO Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Engineers; a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3015 in Clovis, NM, life member of Disabled American Veterans, and served 50 years as Post Commander of American Legion Post #21 in Fort Sumner. Adolph was a member of Knights of Columbus Council #8331 in Fort Sumner and was a Fourth Degree Knight. He also served a term as a Councilor for the Village of Fort Sumner. Adolph was a faithful member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Fort Sumner, he loved to attend dances, fish, and travel and visit his family and friends. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters Lucy Roybal and Julia Aragon. Survivors include his wife of 55 years Fedelena Sanchez of the family home in Fort Sumner; two sons Adolph Sanchez Jr. of Fort Sumner; Edward Sanchez and wife Felicia of Clovis, NM; four daughters Toni Segura and husband Don of Clovis; Vivian Peelle and Alfonso Garcia of Clovis, NM; Priscilla Sanchez of Belen, NM and Bernice Sanchez of Fort Sumner. Also surviving are three sisters Tina Lopez of Clovis, NM; Esther Zamora and Chonita Roybal of Fort Sumner; one brother Leandro Sanchez of Roswell, NM along with 16 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Rosary services will be held at 7:30 P.M. Sunday, June 3, 2001 from St. Anthony Parish in Fort Sumner. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from the church at 10:00 A.M. Monday, June 4, 2001 with Father Stephen Schultz officiating. Burial will follow in the family plot at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Anthony Griego, Manuel Segura, Michael Peelle, Phillip Madrid, Justo Lopez, Abel Montoya, and Tiofilo Roybal. Honorary bearers will be all his grandchildren. Visitation hours will be Sunday from 1PM to 6PM at the funeral home and Monday from 9AM to 10AM at the church. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner.