Richard Noe Sambrano

Richard Noe Sambrano “Dick”, passed away peacefully in Plano, Texas on January 1, 2025, with his family at his bedside. Dick was born on October 17, 1934, in El Paso, Texas to Francisco and Josefa Loya Sambrano. He grew up in San Elizario, Texas, with his siblings Mundo, Beto, Loren, Mando, and Soledad. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education from Texas Western College, currently known as The University of Texas at El Paso.

After serving in The United States Army, Richard returned to El Paso where he met his wife, Grace Fernandez, at a small dance hall near Ysleta, luring her to the dance floor dressed in his military uniform. They married in 1959 and had three children, Norma, David, and Richard Jr. They shared 50 years of marriage until Grace’s passing in 2014.

Richard began his career in the San Elizario Independent School District where he taught 7th grade and coached sports. After being recruited by the Anthony Independent School District, he became the high school principal and a successful football and basketball coach. After seven years with AISD, he became Associate Director of El Paso Community Action Agency - Project BRAVO, an agency he helped to create to fight the war on poverty through education and social services.

In 1971, Richard and his family moved to Dallas, where he became the first Executive Director of SER Jobs for Progress and a year later the Southwest Regional Training Director of ACTION, the federal umbrella agency on volunteerism. He served in that capacity for 12 years before joining the Community Relations Service with the United States Department of Justice. As chief mediator for the southwest region, Richard had a career full of accomplishments and earned many prestigious awards. He retired in 2007 after an illustrious 23-year career with the United States Department of Justice.

Richard’s life passion was in serving his community and volunteering while championing the causes for civil rights. He was a true inspiration, mentoring and supporting all who shared his vision of ensuring equality.

Richard was the recipient of numerous prestigious awards from the Governor of Texas; the Attorney General of the United States and the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity. Which included LULAC National Man of the Year, IMAGE National Man of the Year, the Community Relations Service, U.S. Department of Justice Mediator of the Year, Texas Hispanic Magazine Brillante Award-75 Most Influential Hispanics in Texas, the Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Salute, Dallas County Commissioners Court, and Dallas Peace Center Lifetime Achievement Awards. He was also the recipient of three National LULAC Presidential Medallions.

Richard served on several boards and positions including Chairman of the El Paso Community Action Agency Board of Directors, President of El Paso County Coaches Association, State President of IMAGE de Tejas, Chairman of LULAC National Civil Rights Commission, Operation SER Board of Directors, LULAC National Convention Committee Chair, LULAC Deputy State Director for the Elderly, Dallas LULAC Council President, member of the board for Dallas/Fort Worth International Leadership Alliance, and member of La Voz del Anciano board of directors.

Richard was a beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather cherishing his time spent with family. He was an avid lover of sports and enjoyed playing as well as coaching. Richard enjoyed cooking and gatherings with friends and family. His culinary specialties were his Caldillo and Bizcochos, which were enjoyed by all.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents Francisco and Josefa, his wife Grace, his brothers, Reymundo, Humberto, Lorenzo, and Armando and his daughter-in-law Elena Sambrano. He is survived by his wife Kathy, his sister Soledad Sambrano, his children, Norma and husband John Hennessy, David Sambrano, and Richard and wife Lisa Sambrano. Grandpa Dick is also survived by his grandchildren Kelly and husband James Dyer, Kristina Toppin, Kathryn and husband Jarred Long, Grace Sambrano, Weston Sambrano, Jake Sambrano, Brittany and husband Mark Barros, and Richard Sambrano III, as well as his great-grandchildren Keira, Hailey, Siena, John, Hudson, Caeden, Penelope, Samuel, and Mila. Also surviving Richard are his stepchildren Lawrence and wife Diana Fernandez and Eric and wife Kellie Fernandez. A large extended family full of loving nieces and nephews also survived him.

Visitation and rosary services will be held on Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 at 5 pm at Martin Funeral Home, 1460 George Dieter Dr N, El Paso, Texas. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Presidio Chapel in San Elizario on Friday, January 24, 2025 at 10:30 am followed by interment at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery. A reception to follow.

A memorial mass will be held on Friday, January 31st, 2025 at 2:30 pm at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, 2800 Valwood Parkway, Farmers Branch, Texas. A reception to follow in the parish hall.

The Sambrano family would like to send their love and gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Brookdale Creekside Memory Care Community in Plano.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to either

San Elizario Presidio Chapel at P.O. Box 910, San Elizario, Texas, 79849,

or San Elizario Genealogy & Historical Society (SanElizarioGenealogy.org)

at P.O. Box 1090, San Elizario, Texas, 79849.