Luis R. Sanchez Jr.

Luis Sanchez, Jr. was born in a small rural Texas town to Luis and Candelaria Sanchez on 1/28/1930, during one of our country’s greatest human challenges. In 1937, Luis Sr. and his brother Gabino took their young families to California, to the small seaside town of Oceanside.

The Sanchez family grew to 7 boys and 1 girl: Tony, Raymond, Luis, Ted, Emma, Henry, Joe and Valdo. Luis was able to attend school until the 7th grade, then joined his dad in the fields to help support his family.

Like many Americans of the time, young Luis began to listen to the radio; music, especially rock and roll, became one of his greatest loves and joy. As a teenager, Luis also loved sports and he soon began training as a boxer. While his time in the competitive ring was not long, he continued to work out with a punching bag and became an avid boxing fan throughout his life. Luis also loved his motorcycle, and would travel up and down California, as well as across the border into Tijuana, where he visited with friends and family.

On one of his trips to Tijuana, Luis met and fell in love with Carolina Sanchez, pursuing “Caro” until she said “yes.” They married in Oceanside, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, on June 26, 1954. His family would become his greatest love, including his wife Caro’s family, which he adopted as his own.

Luis landed a civil service job at Camp Pendleton, where he worked as a warehouseman for 35 years, receiving commendations from base command for his excellent attendance. He was never late.

In 1957, Luis and Caro built their home on Puls Street, a block away from his parents. Their home would become their pride and joy, taking great pleasure in landscaping, the patio, his famously terrific barbeques, and listening to rock and roll, mariachi, ranchero and huapango music. Luis and Caro had 3 kids: Esther, Luis III (“Lou”) and Anthony (“Tony”), as well as 4 grandchildren: Michael, Christian, Cristina and David, and 3 great grandchildren: Christian, Jr. (“CJ”), Thomas and Anthony. Luis loved his brothers and sister and their families, spending lots of time with them, helping in whatever way he could.

Luis loved his cars, including his 1959 Chevy Impala, and his 1973 Ford T-Bird, which he still has in his garage “in mint condition.” He loved his Mexican heritage, dressing up as a charro for the annual Mission San Luis Rey Fiestas. He loved and was very proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He especially loved spending time with his boys. He loved attending all the sporting events, even joining the slow pitch league in the 1960’s. He loved attending all of his son Louie’s softball tournaments, where he helped with the barbeques and beer garden and got to spend time with Louie and his friends. He also loved attending the many boxing get-togethers at his son Tony’s house, which Tony insisted on hosting for his dad, brother, uncles, cousins, friends, and neighbors. Luis became his daughter Esther’s #1 supporter when she decided to run for Oceanside City Council in 2000, getting out all of his family and friends to all of her campaign events.

Luis loved Oceanside, the beach, the pier, and fishing; and he loved his Eastside neighborhood, petitioning for paved roads, Joe Balderrama Park, and Laurel Elementary School. Luis remained involved throughout his life, including park maintenance and landscaping, neighborhood cleanup, and the community garden (“El Rancho Grande”).

Luis always took part in his kids’ and later grandkids’ lives in every way he could, including stopping by Von’s store to say hi to his son Tony; and helping to raise his grandkids, picking them up at St. Mary’s School. He was the “donut man” when Tony and Angie and John and Anna had their donut shop, selling leftover donuts in the neighborhood for $1/dozen. On neighborhood cleanup days, all the kids would be waiting for him in the back of his truck. He was everyman’s friend.

In 2008, he was diagnosed with kidney failure, at 78 years old. Two days after his 79th birthday, he started dialysis. Luis became a shining example to all others at the North Coast Kidney Center, being the first one to arrive, turning on the lights, befriending all the others there. He especially loved Brad, who was able to get the needles into his arms with the least amount of pain and fussing. Getting a second chance at life, Luis seemed especially anxious to get things done.

Just short of his 85th birthday, Luis was hospitalized with pneumonia. He came home after 3 weeks, and miraculously began walking and talking again, whispering loudly, “I don’t need this,” referring to his cane. However, after only almost 4 weeks at home, he suffered a stroke, this time a battle he would not be able to win. He decided to come home to the home he built and created with a lifetime of care and love. Two days later, the Lord took Luis, surrounded by his family.

Luis is preceded by his parents, Luis and Candelaria Sanchez; his aunt Filomena; and his brothers Joe and Tony. Luis is survived by his wife of 60 ½ years, Carolina Sanchez; his kids Esther, Luis III (“Lou”) and Anthony (“Tony”) Sanchez; daughter-in-law, Angela Sanchez; grandkids Michael, Christian (and Aurora), Cristina (and Jeff Perry) and David; great grandchildren Christian, Jr. (“CJ”), Thomas and Anthony; brothers and sister Raymond, Ted, Emma Henry, and Valdo; and a host of beloved brothers and sisters in law, nephews, nieces, cousins, and their children and grandchildren.