Jerry Sanchez

Jerry Lon Sanchez passed away on October 31, 2019 in Alvarado, Texas. He had attained the age of 83 years of age.

He was born on July 6th, 1936 in Apache, OK. He was the oldest of seventeen children born to Lonjino Rodriguez Sanchez and Iris Belle Staggs. Because he was blessed to grow up with 16 siblings and 10 half-siblings from his father’s earlier marriage, he knew what it meant to share with others. Jerry was good-hearted and would do what he could to help out others. He had a rugged childhood, having grown up on the road as an agricultural worker, travelling from state to state with his large family. He was always a hard worker and he demanded the same effort from others.

Jerry was living at Rockett, Texas when he entered the United States Marines in 1955 at Camp Pendleton, CA. He was in Division II and was sent to Korea and to Osaka, Japan. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal for his service. He was a Lance Corporal, when he was honorably discharged from the Marines. He was very patriotic and loved his country deeply. He was so proud to have been a Marine. Until his last days he often wore hats, T-shirts and other Marine-emblemed wear.

Jerry met and later married Jessie Hutt in 1961 in Fresno, CA and they were blessed with four children.

Jerry is survived by his daughters: Judy Laverne Sanchez-Silkowski, and Jana Lynne Sanchez and by his sons: Jerry Lee and wife Sandy Sanchez, and Jeffrey LeRoy and wife Rene Sanchez. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Jeffrey: Whitney and her husband Charles Chapman and Zachary; Katie Gonzales. He is survived by his four great-grandsons: Trystan, Wyatt and Brantlee and Noah; and four great-granddaughters: Charlee, Piper, Kayli and Dezirae.

Jerry is survived by his sisters: Janie and her husband Lupe Rando; Doris Rankin; Beatrice and her husband Larry Stiles; Marie; Alicia and sister-in-law, Amelia. He is survived by his brothers: Genesis (and Connie); Gustive; Benito (and Glenda); Frank (and Jackie); Ralph; Robert; Samuel (and Janet) and brother-in-law, John Staggs.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by his sisters: Escolastica Bastardo; Hijina Bastardo; Angela Staggs, Pauline Barrera, Susie Cassady and Iris Ruth. Jerry was preceded in death by brothers: Juan; Miguel; Lorenzo; Visente; Lonjino; Amador, Daniel and Matthew.  He was also preceded in death by sisters-in-law: Andrea Sanchez; Alma Sanchez; Elva Sanchez; Madonna Sanchez; Nadine Sanchez; Judy Whitt Sanchez and Martha Sanchez.  He was preceded in death by brothers-in-law: Santiago Bastardo; PoncianoBastardo; Salvador Barrera; Everett Cassady; Foy Cassady; Rex Hilbert; Jerry Rankin; Bruce Werneking and one son-in-law, Ralph Silkowski.

The family lived in the Fresno area until 1967 when they moved to Texas to be closer to his aging parents. They lived in Ellis County towns of Maypearl and Midlothian.

Throughout his life Jerry held several professions. He worked as a roughneck in the oil fields in the Fresno area. He worked in agriculture, hauling hay, bailing cotton and other jobs. He worked in the cement plant in Midlothian and as a millwright in the steel plant. He was a long-haul truck driver for several years. He also started and ran a construction business for himself, building steel buildings. Jerry worked hard to supporthis family. He wanted the best for his children and inspired them to work and study hard.

Jerry liked putting in a big garden. He loved deer hunting and fishing. He enjoyed camping and would take his family for weekend trips to the Brazos River. The family also went on several large camping vacations, including one through the Ozarks and another to Colorado that the children all remembered fondly. Everyone knew that he loved football and that he was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys.  He liked watching the Texas Rangers.

Arrangements especially for the Sanchez Family by Wayne Boze Funeral Home. 1826 West. Hwy 287 Bus. Waxahachie, Tx 75165 972-923-2700 www.waynebozefuneralhome.com