Stephen Sanchez

Loving husband, father, grandfather and brother Stephen Sanchez Sr., 80, passed away peacefully at the family home surrounded by family members on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009. Stephen was born in Santa Rosa on April 6, 1929, to Alfredo C. and Anita Sanchez. He is the eldest of his 11 surviving brothers and sisters. He graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1947. Upon graduation he attended Chillicothe Business College in Chillicothe, Mo. He married Lucinda (Cindie) V. Romo on June 7, 1951. He worked for Southern Pacific Railroad for 42 years, retiring in 1989. He worked at various depots from Tucumcari to El Paso. In 2000 Steve and Cindie moved the family from Alamogordo to Tularosa. His hobbies included gardening, reading and riding his mule, Lindo Lee. He was always busy and energetic with his home and property. Steve was active in the Knights of Columbus, St. Mary's Council - third and fourth degree. He attended St. Jude's Catholic Church from 1966 to 2000. After moving to Tularosa he was an active member of St. Francis de Paula Church. Stephen is survived by his wife, Cindie, of the family home; daughter Virginia A. Bacue, husband, Ralph, of Nashville, Tenn., and their children Patrick J. Bacue (2nd Lt, U.S. Air Force) of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Stephanie A. Bacue (2nd Lt, U.S. Air Force) of San Angelo, Texas; daughter Christina M. Padilla and husband, Gregory, of Silver City; son Stephen Sanchez Jr., wife, Tina, and their children James S. and Michael C. Sanchez, all of Albuquerque; son David Andrew Sanchez Sr., of Tularosa, and his children David Andrew Sanchez Jr., Matthew S. Sanchez and Tamara G. Sanchez, all of Dardanelle, Ark.; four brothers and seven sisters. Rosary was recited at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009, at the Nuestra Senora de Regugio Catholic Church in Puerto de Luna. Mass of the Christian burial followed. Inurnment followed at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Santa Rosa. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Otero Community Oncology Center, 2559 Medical Drive Suite G, Alamogordo, NM 88310; Knights of Columbus - St. Mary's Council 3355, P.O. Box 482, Alamogordo, NM 88310; or Atrisco Heritage Foundation; 1730 Montaño NW Suite B, Albuquerque, NM 87107. Local arrangements were under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third Street; Santa Rosa, NM. (575) 472-3369