Samuel Ted Sanchez

His authenticity and generosity shown in his smile. He had a natural sense of humor and everyone loved to be around him.

Samuel was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1959 to Esmael and Irene Sanchez in Alamogordo New Mexico. Samuel was smart with an Entrepreneurial spirit. He worked at his grandfather’s restaurant, Andes Café as a young teen after school and on the weekends, as well as many other odd jobs.

At age 17, Samuel and 2 other good friends decided they were ready for something bigger in life. The group quit high school, took and passed their GED, and joined the Army on the “buddy system”. This was an enlistment option that offered friends to join the Army together with a promise to “keep them together” by being stationed at the same duty stations throughout their career. Six months later, Samuel was stationed in Panama Canal Zone, with one of his buddies, Joe Telles. Neither Samuel nor Joe were ever stationed with the third buddy in their group.

It was in Panama Canal Zone Samuel (just turned 18) met Linda Rae Bohnke (just turned 15). Before Linda headed back stateside, Samuel declared “You’re the one! I’m gonna marry you!” He did just that, twice! Samuel and Linda welcomed their beautiful daughter, Brandi Rae Sanchez into the world in Bad Windsheim Germany in1992. Samuel was a very proud dad and loved Brandi more than anything.

Samuel’s military career took him to many duty stations stateside to include Ft. Lee Virginia, Ft. McCullen Alabama, Ft. Sill Oklahoma, Ft. Leavenwoth Kansas, Ft. Bliss Texas and Ft. Hood Texas. Overseas duty stations include J.T.F Panama 1977-79 and 1988-1989, Bad Kissigen and Schweinfurt Germany 1983-1986 and Crailsheim and Illesheim Germany 1989-1982. and J.T. Force Bravo 1987-1988. Samuel was a 95 Bravo (military police) and in additional to working the road early on, he was soon running AWOL Apprehension Teams, Investigator Sections, and DST (undercover Drug Suppression Teams). SFC Sanchez retired from the Army in 1996. He then started his own Private Investigator company. Throughout his military and civilian career he has a 99% solve rate.

Samuel was a disabled veteran who later suffered from service-related illnesses resulting in his left leg amputation below the knee. Samuel loved the outdoors and loved living part time in the mountains of New Mexico surrounded by nature and wild animals. He was an avid fisherman and hunter who also enjoyed golfing and riding his Harley Davidson. Samuel was a tremendously generous man and had an overwhelming desire to help others. Samuel will be greatly missed by many.

Samuel is survived by his wife, Linda Rae Sanchez, Daughter Brandi Rae Sanchez of Berlin Germany, Brother Rudy Ben Sanchez and his wife Carol of Alamogordo, New Mexico, Brother Christopher Sanchez of Alamogordo, New Mexico, Sister Darlene Dyka and her husband Chris of Henderson, Nevada, as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He is also survived by his Mother in-law and Father in-law, Lance and Bettie Nielsen of Austin, Texas, Sister in-law, Cynthia Buehl and husband Bob of Bonita Springs, Florida as well as Special Friends Matt Garwood of Alamogordo, New Mexico, Denny Blankenship and wife Monica of Marysville, Michigan, and Christoph Wallenstein of Tularosa, New Mexico. Samuel also leaves behind a plethora of close friends he served with in the military that he considered family.

A visitation will be held at Cook Walden/Forrest Oaks Funeral Home located at 6300 W. William Cannon Dr. Austin Texas 78749 on January 17, 2022, from 6:00 - 8:00pm

Graveside services with full military honors will be held on January 18th, 2022 at Central Texas State Cemetery located 11436 TX-195 in Killen Texas. If attending, please plan to be at the gate no later than 10:45am sharp.

If unable to attend, you are invited to click the link below at the appropriate time to attend via live stream. https://vimeo.com/event/1704145

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to go to the nonprofit Operation Triage: http://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ZRVCEYHLYNE5Q

Operation TRIAGE's mission is to provide emergency financial relief, mortgage free homes, and home remodeling to disabled veterans, first responders, and active-duty service members in an effort to get their lives back on track and become productive members of their communities. Operation TRIAGE partners with corporate sponsors, builder associations, builders, developers, individual contributors, and volunteers to help these heroes and their families succeed in their challenging new world so they may ultimately enjoy a productive and rewarding life.