Daniel Sanchez Sr.

Daniel Sanchez, Sr. 78 of Amarillo passed away February 9, 2012. Rosary will be said at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at Memorial Park Funeral Home, Chapel of Memories. Funeral Mass will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at St. Laurence Catholic Church with Father Gabriel as Celebrant. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery by Memorial Park Funeral Home. Daniel was born on November 26, 1933 in McAllen to his parents Pablo and Jilma Sanchez. He was raised in McAllen. After high school, he joined the United States Air Force where he served in the Korean Conflict and later worked as a cook. In his latter part of his military career, he was stationed here in Amarillo where he met the love of his life, Olga Martinez. They were married on April 28, 1956 in Tucumcari, New Mexico. After being Honorably Discharged from the military, Daniel worked at Bell Helicopter. He spent 20 years there working as a painter and retired in 1989. Daniel was a loving and respected man, who loved his family dearly. He will be truly missed by all who knew him and loved him. Daniel is survived by his wife of 56 years, Olga Sanchez of the home; his sons, Daniel Sanchez, Jr. and wife Donna of Grand Prairie, Ruben Sanchez and wife Loua, Samuel Sanchez and Eddie Sanchez, all of Amarillo; his daughters, Becky Johnson and husband Karlton of Northridge, California, Linda Van Winkle and husband Layne of Amarillo and Velma Sanchez of Fayetville, North Carolina; 2 brothers and 2 sisters all of McAllen; he is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.