SGT. Edward V. Sanchez Sr.

To our beloved father Edward V. Sanchez, son of Trinidad Sanchez and Adeline Valdez Sanchez. A devoted husband of Ruthie N. Sanchez, their children Tina Louise Gorbett, David Dewayne Sanchez (deceased), Edward V. Sanchez III, Tommy Cable, Caroline Moody, Diane Ortega, Johnny Sanchez, Tommy Sanchez and Eddie Sanchez, Jr, Yolanda Alpamarino, Roland Alpamarino and Frank Alpamarino (deceased). He was grandfather to Sherry Fisher, Christopher Gorbett, Samantha Gorbett, Diana Ortega (deceased), John Ortega and Julie Ortega along with his beautiful great-grandkids. Edward was a Hero not only to his family, but to his country. As a dedicated Patron and as an active service member to the United States of America, he served 25 ½ years of active duty in the Marines from 1943-1946, the Air Force from 1948-1952, the Arizona National Guard 1952-1954 as a Sergeant in the US Army from 1954-1964. My father went on active leave from service after meeting my mother Ruthie N. Myers around 1962 at a coffee shop in Columbus, Georgia where our dad was stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia. They married in 1964. Then, Ruthie was pregnant with their first born Tina Louise Sanchez in 1965. Along with their other two children, David Dewayne Sanchez was born in 1970. Then in 1973, their youngest Edward V. Sanchez III was born. Then years later in 1978, our father completed his military career in the Indiana Army National Guard in 1986, upon retirement. Then in September of 1989 our father, his wife Ruthie N. Sanchez and their son Edward V. Sanchez III moved back to his place of birth of Phoenix, Arizona. Our father, Edward V. Sanchez had overall outstanding achievements of his active service to the U.S. government. As noted by several of his achievements were as follows: to Sgt. Edward V. Sanchez in recognition of support of the Indiana Army National Guard in Strength Maintenance Program, Indiana Army National Guard Recruitment and Retention Team for Certificate for Training, voted by numerous Honorable discharges by his faithful and heroic service to the armed forces, Medal for Meritorious Service Commended by the State of Indiana, Metal for Bravery and an active member of the Co-Op Judo divisions of War Combat. Our father served in the Korean War, War in Europe during the Reign of Adolf Hitler’s dictatorship and the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He also traveled the world from England, Germany, Korea, Italy, Japan, Austria, and France and from California across to New York City and abroad. Our father has dedicated his life to the Armed services, traveling the world for his admirable love for his country. Lastly, as the family of Edward V. Sanchez, our father’s beautiful and strong individualism along with his strong heart, spirit and overall character as a citizen to the armed services are honored and cherished by all. Our father was a fighter that would never give up anything without a fight especially while battling health related issues. During his struggle with his lymphoma in 2004, while undergoing eight sessions of chemotherapy at the age of 77, he beat that cancer into remission keeping his promise to his wife Ruthie N. Sanchez that he wasn’t leaving her alone because he loved her. Twelve years later, in February of 2016, he was diagnosed with Ampullary Cancer. Based on his age of 89 and other related health concerns, our father was not a good candidate for surgery and chemotherapy. He was told to carry out the rest of his days the best he can in happiness and love. His son Edward V. Sanchez III took full responsibility to care for and watch over his father until the end by the Power of Attorney he signed. During the months of his cancerous conditions, it was our father’s hope to live to his 90th birthday. We all threw him the best 90th birthday celebration ever. Myself as the son, Edward V. Sanchez III, couldn’t have asked for a better father in this world. Thank you Daddy for showing me how to be strong, the value of life and the strength it takes to the end. We love you Daddy from all of us to you. We will miss you, admire you, be inspired by you and see the light in you that is bountiful beyond measure. Many thanks to all of you who have taken the time to read this biography of our father Edward V. Sanchez who will be missed forever and a love that will never die.