He is preceded in death by both parents; brother Donaciano Sanchez; sister Linda Paredes; brother Jaime A. Sáenz; and nieces Amy Hosler and Amanda Paredes, and now rests with them in the arms of the Lord.
He graduated from Las Cruces High School in 1972 and received a B.A. in Philosophy at St. Thomas Seminary in 1977. He also earned a master’s degree in Theology from the University of Louvain in Belgium in 1980.
He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1981. After serving three years, he left the priesthood. He then received an M.A. in Creative Writing at UTEP in 1987 and became a professor there in 1992, where he remained until his retirement in 2016.
He was a very successful writer with many published books, including a New York Times bestseller, numerous awards and accolades, as well as a remarkable movie made from his book, “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.” He loved the border and his life in El Paso, where he was loved and idolized. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his brother Richard Sáenz and wife Nancy; sister Gloria Woods and husband Anthony; and brother Joe “Poyo” Sáenz.
Funeral Arrangements
Funeral arrangements are with Martin Funeral Home on Resler.
He will be laid to rest on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Concordia Cemetery.
Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on August 17 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 1118 Mesa St., El Paso, Texas 79902.
There will be a reception after the burial ceremonies at St. John Paul II reception hall on 518 Ghallager.
