Ernest Mendoza Sanchez

Ernest Mendoza Sanchez, age 73, passed away Monday, April 14, 2025 in Oklahoma City. He was born November 24, 1951 in Austin, Texas. Ernie married the love of his life, Teresa “Terri” Walton, on January 23, 1971. Soon after, he enlisted in the United States Army where for the next three years he served in various places in the US as well as Germany. Once Ernie received his honorable discharge, he joined the National Guard and then accepted an AGR position which included mobilization for Desert Storm.

Ernie was funny and very personable. If the phrase “he never met a stranger” was about anyone, it would be Ernie. He made friends everywhere he went and was the first to help someone in need, be it family, friend, or stranger.

Ernie was an avid University of Texas fan and Green Bay Packers fan, win or lose. He enjoyed all sports, but mostly hockey, soccer, and golf. He was also a book collector, especially murder mysteries.

Ernie and Terri began participating in Trivia Nights on Tuesday’s in the 1980’s and were (and still are) consistently in the top 50, with over 3000 groups playing. They also enjoyed travelling and going on cruises together and with their family.

Ernie was a devoted husband, loving father, and doting grandfather who was loved by so many and will be incredibly missed.

He was preceded in death by his adoptive parents, Serapio and Maria Sanchez; birth mother, Rosa; brothers, Mateo and Rudy; sister, Alamar, half-brother, Tony; and adopted siblings, Rosie, Lily, Larry, Dora, Frank, Edward, Johnny, and Janie.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Terri Sanchez; children, Micheal Sanchez and wife Maria, Melissa Atkinson and husband Bill, Ernest S. Sanchez and wife Rhiannon; brother, Joangel; half-brothers, Martin, Paul, Mike, and John; adopted brother, Ray Sanchez; grandchildren, Macaulin Appleton, Brogan Sullivan, Keegan Sullivan, Emily Atkinson, William Atkinson, II, Kala Hackler, Kristen Hatcher, Olivya Spivey, Annamarie Gonzalez, Gabe (Junior) Gonzalez, Mia Calderon Sanchez, Avery Calderon Sanchez, Parker Calderon Sanchez, Liam Calderon Sanchez, and McKenna Calderon Sanchez; great grandchildren, Bradlee Hackler, McKinzley Hackler, and Miel Fabian Calderon Spivey.

A Celebration of Ernie’s life will be 10am Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Bill Merritt Funeral Service.

Services can be livestreamed at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c25053258055740