September 13, 1928 – September 8, 2023
An inventor-artist who once was recruited to work at Walt Disney Studios as a youth, after winning an artist competition at the LA County fair, Angel Sanchez Carmona, 94, went to his heavenly home on Friday, September 8, 2023. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, friend, respected businessman, and a Christian. Angel’s Christian faith was an essential part of his life. He spent a great deal of time mentoring young Christians and sharing The Word with his family. Angel was greeted in heaven by his beloved wife, Sara, his parents Jose and Soledad, and his siblings – Ignacio, Joe, Johnny, Alice, Delia, and Alfred. He is survived by his five children – Irma, Ortencia, Joann, Angel Jr., and Yvette and 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
The long-time Oxnard resident was very proud of having served his country during the Korean War and was part of the Army’s 4th Division reactivation in 1950 and mobilization to Germany in 1951. His unit was assigned to the all-important Check Point Charlie which separated East and West Germany during the growing Cold War. He received his basic training at California’s historic Ft. Ord, near Monterey. During his tour of duty, he had the opportunity to visit numerous European locations like Brussels, Belgium, London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid, Spain.
The skills he learned in the Army as a mechanic and his ingenuity would lead to a successful career with General Motors, where he is credited with the design and development of the first four-passenger cab truck design that is so prevalent in the truck industry today. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to open his own autobody shop in Reseda, where he specialized in foreign models and early Corvette body repairs - a first for Latinos in that time. He later would own and operate the International Body Shop, on Commercial Street in Oxnard for several years.
In retirement, his love for Christ led him to grow in fellowship with others – serving as a deacon at his church and always willing to share God’s word with friends and family. He also loved taking strolls at Channel Islands Harbor and along Port Hueneme beach – especially when he could catch a glimpse of sailboats plying the harbor or the open ocean.
Truly, a life well led – 2 Timothy 4:7 says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Angel Carmona lived a life that was pleasing to God. We all look forward to meeting again in the heavenly above.
