Benjamin L Sanchez Sr.

In the early morning hours of Saturday, December 12, 2015, our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and family patriarch was called home by our Heavenly Father. He was 86 years old and a lifelong resident of New Braunfels. He was born on August 29, 1929, and his passion was collecting antiques, keeping up to date with world events, watching old war movies and more importantly, he cherished spending time with his loving family. He was loved and respected by many and will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A dedicated military man, he was a retired Air Force veteran who proudly served our country for almost 40 years. He was also a decorated Korean War veteran who followed after his brother Gilberto L. Sanchez. Gilberto sadly did not survive the conflict and was declared a POW/MIA. He was recently returned home earlier this year in January after 64 years missing in action.

He was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife, Betty C. Sanchez, parents Bernardino T. Sr. and Coleta L. Sanchez, brothers Augustin L. Sanchez, Sr. (Army), Bernardino L. Sanchez, Sr. (Navy), Arturo L. Sanchez, Sr. (Navy), Jesse L. Sanchez (Air Force) and Gilberto L. Sanchez (Army, POW/MIA). He and his brothers were well known in the area as the Band of Brothers: Honoring the Sanchez Brothers of New Braunfels TX. for having the most family members who served our country's military. They were honored with a special plaque which is on display at the National Museum of The Pacific War, Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, TX.

He is survived by his loving children: daughter Sandra Fuentes; daughter Eva S. Lopez (husband, Victor); Benjamin C. Sanchez, Jr. (wife, Darlene) all of New Braunfels; daughter Dina S. Gonzales (husband, Guadalupe, Jr.) of Houston; brothers Pablo L. Sanchez, Sr. of San Antonio and Silvestre L. Sanchez of Fort Worth; sisters Maria Socorro Ticknell of Kansas; Guadalupe Penrose (husband, Edward), Elvira Cordova (husband, Pedro, Sr.), Gloria Cardenas (husband, Ray) all of New Braunfels; and Rosemary Iglesias of San Antonio; 13 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren. He lived to enjoy 5 generations of family.

A Visitation will be held at Zoeller Funeral Home on Sunday, December 20, 2015, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a Rosary service beginning at 5:00pm. The Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, December 21, 2015 at Holy Family Catholic Church at 8:45 a.m. We will be leaving in procession from Zoeller Funeral Home at 8:15 a.m. Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX at 10:30 a.m. Afterward, a reception will be provided at Holy Family Catholic Church in New Braunfels at 12:30pm.

The family would like to thank Warm Springs Rehab, Kirkwood Manor, and Interim Healthcare, especially Lydia Vigil, for her dedication, exceptional care and attention.

"Our Family Chain Is Broken"

We little knew the day that God

was going to call your name.

In life we loved you dearly,

in death we'll do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you.

You did not go alone,

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories.

Your love is still our guide,

And though we cannot see you

You are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken

and nothing seems the same,

but as God calls us one by one

the chain will link again.