Henry Sanchez of Bakersfield, Ca, passed away on November 5th, 2020 at the age of 92. Henry had suffered from a major stroke 3 weeks prior, and passed in the care of family at his sister’s home in Whittier, Ca.
Henry was born in Bakersfield on May 26th, 1928, to father John Sanchez and mother Theodosia (TC) Sanchez. He was the 7th of 14 children. Henry grew up working on the local farms at an early age. Henry moved to Los Angeles when he was 16 years old. At the age of 17 (January 3rd, 1946) Henry joined the U.S. Marine Corps, and faithfully served until January 3rd, 1949 when he was honorably discharged as a Private First Class. Henry was a qualified Rifle Expert and an award-winning marksman with the m1911. During Henry’s 3 years of service he completed Boot Camp training in San Diego, Ca, and served in World War II, stationed in Guam, Kwajalein islands, Pearl Harbor, and served as Top Secret Security on the Atomic & Hydrogen bombs. It is believed that his security clearance from the Marine Corps is what provided the bridge for him to go on to work at McDonnell Douglas as an Aerospace Technician, specializing in polymers, resins, fiberglass, metals and cloths. Henry worked on many of Douglas’s cutting edge technologies from pilot emergency ejection seats, flight suits, heavy cargo planes and many of the Delta Rockets. Henry could often be seen during retirement wearing one of his many blue and white mission windbreakers. Henry’s work at Douglas also led him to become an accomplished seamster and could sew any material from exotic mylars to the simple canvas or the occasional dress for one of his daughters. Ironically, Henry was known for always cuffing his Levies and never hemmed them, knowing that they often shrunk in length.
Henry was a dedicated husband and father. He was married to his wife Geraldine Marie Collier of Los Angles on June 24, 1950. Together they raised their family of five in Los Angeles and saved to buy their Mountain home cabin, where they later retired and spent most of their time, including white Christmases with the family. They were both avid lovers of the outdoors and as a result were known for driving their 4x4 1965 and 1967 Jeep Wagoneers in a time when most city folk only drove sedans. It was the equivalent of seeing an H1 Hummer on the streets in the 90’s. It is a little known fact that Geraldine was the accomplished 4x4 driver who mastered the back country of Utah and Colorado. Henry was an avid and accomplished hunter and it was Geraldine who would drop Henry off to hunt and pick him up in the backcountry. Henry’s mounted deer trophies were always on display at his home in Los Angeles or at his Angelus Oaks Cabin. Henry was also an avid fisherman. Henry may have started as a lake fisherman, but was introduced to creek fishing in the late 80’s which soon became his favorite past time, and could often be found hidden amongst the trees on Independence Creek or at the source of the Santa Anna River near his cabin. If you were to open the couple’s vehicle you would always find their travel collapsible fishing poles and tackle in the back. At some point they purchased a trailer, fully decked out with fishing themed curtains. The couple was known for always being on the road through their retirement years until Geraldine passed on December 3, 1995 after 45 years of marriage. Henry soldiered on for approximately 25 years without the love of his life until he passed amongst family and in the care of his daughter Linda and niece/goddaughter Claudia Corral.
Henry is survived by the following in Chronological order:
* Children: Linda Urbina, Robert J. Sanchez Sr. / spouse Cecilia Sanchez, Lynette Sanchez- Mason / spouse Joe Mason
* Grandchildren: Yvette Urbina, Troy Urbina / spouse Grace Urbina, Marina Urbina, Robert J. Sanchez Jr., PhD / spouse Amy Sanchez, Eric Sanchez / spouse Gina Sanchez, Sabrina Mason, Selena Mason, Jonathan Mason
* Great Grandchildren: Justyce Navarro, Jason Cardenas, Destiny Cardenas, Zackariah Cardenas, Isaiah Sifuentes, Zoe Urbina, Carmine Sanchez, Bella Sanchez, Xavier Mason, and Makayla-Alexa Vidarte
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.PBturnerstevens.com for the Sanchez family.
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