Rafael Sanchez-Valencia

Rafael Sanchez Valencia, devoted husband of 57 years to his wife Etelvina Sanchez, passed away peacefully on July 15th, 2025. Together they have 6 children, 14 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. He touched the lives of many with his selflessness, generosity, honesty and courage. His smile lit up a room and left a lasting impression on everyone he met.

Rafael was born in Michoacán on October 20, 1949 to Jose and Raquel Sanchez. He was the second born out of 12 children. Rafael met Etelvina (the love of his life), when they were just kids. Etelvina had a great friendship with his sister Alicia (Licho), and would visit often as an excuse to be around him. Rafael and Etelvina’s relationship bloomed as teenagers. They decided to begin their future together on June 24th, 1968. Rafael then immigrated to California in his 20’s to pursue the American dream and build a better future for his family. Rafael’s work ethic was like no other and soon it all paid off. In California, he met a great man named Frank Coelho who gave him the opportunity to work for him at Linda Vista Farms. Not long after, Rafael moved to Fresno where he would be employed at Del Monte Pines and most importantly where he would meet his life-long family-friends, the Alsup’s (also known as his second family). He then went on to work at Zacky Farms/Foster Farms until the year of his retirement in 2020.

Rafael took pride in being a family-oriented man. His wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandson were his world. He always made sure they were united and taken care of, constantly instilling a sense of family values in the hearts of his loved ones. Rafael was complete when surrounded by the love and laughter of his family. His favorite color was baby blue. He enjoyed wearing guayaberas. He loved to travel, grow plants in his garden, and play dominoes. He was well-known for making his famous rompope and gelatina de leche. On one special night he taught his grandchildren how to make buñuelos, which is a memory they will carry with them forever. His smile and dimples were filled with all the love that he had to offer his friends and family. He was different, unique, kind like no other, and would be there in an instant, no matter the time or place for anyone that he loved. His love was unconditional and can never be matched. He leaves behind a void in the hearts of those who loved him. He will be deeply missed by so many.

Rafael is survived by his loving wife Etelvina. He is also survived by his children: Norma (and her significant other Abel), Ralph (and his wife, Sonia), Albert (and his wife, Monica), Joe (and his significant other Kyndra), Paul (and his wife, Andrienna), and Raquel (and her husband, John). As a beloved grandfather, he is survived by his grandchildren: Karissa, Dalen, Alyssa, Kiara, Eric, Jacob, Alex, Noah, Alexis, Nathan, Lauryn, Juliana, Andrew and Ryan. He is further survived by his great-grandson Jaxxon. He is also survived by his siblings: Adan, Delia, Leonor Consepcion, Efrain, Guillermina, Miguel, Felipe and Ramiro.

He was preceded in death by: his father Jose, his mother Raquel, his two brothers Ramon and Juvenal, and his sister Alicia.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, located at 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720, followed by a Recitation of the Holy Rosary Service will follow at the same venue at 6:00 pm.

The Mass of Christian Burial Service will take place on August 8, 2025, at 10:00 am at St. Mary Queen of Apostles Catholic Church, 4636 W Dakota Ave, Fresno, CA 93722 with a Committal Graveside service to following immediately after the funeral mass at Fresno Memorial Gardens, 175 S Cornelia Ave, Fresno, CA 93706.

Reception to follow.

Rafael will be remembered with love and respect by all who knew him.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstsullivan.com for the Sanchez family.

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Rafael Sánchez - Valencia, nacido el 20 de Octubre de 1949, falleció el 15 de Julio de 2025, a la edad de 75 años. Era residente de Fresno, California.

Rafael Sánchez Valencia, devoto esposo de Etelvina Sánchez durante 57 años, falleció pacíficamente el 15 de julio de 2025. Juntos tienen 6 hijos, 14 nietos y un bisnieto. Conmovió la vida de muchos con su altruismo, generosidad, honestidad y valentía. Su sonrisa iluminaba cualquier espacio y dejó una huella imborrable en todos los que conoció.

Rafael nació en Michoacán el 20 de octubre de 1949, hijo de José y Raquel Sánchez. Fue el segundo de 12 hijos. Conoció a Etelvina (el amor de su vida) cuando eran tan solo unos niños. Etelvina tenía una gran amistad con su hermana Alicia (Licho) y la visitaba con frecuencia para estar cerca de él. La relación de Rafael y Etelvina floreció en la adolescencia. Decidieron comenzar su futuro juntos el 24 de junio de 1968. Rafael emigró a California para perseguir el sueño americano y construir un futuro mejor para su familia. La ética de trabajo de Rafael era inigualable y pronto dio sus frutos. En California, conoció a un gran hombre llamado Frank Coelho, quien le dio la oportunidad de trabajar para él en Linda Vista Farms. Poco después, Rafael se mudó a Fresno, donde trabajaría en Del Monte Pines y, lo más importante, donde conocería a sus amigos de toda la vida, los Alsup (también conocidos como su segunda familia). Después trabajó en Zacky Farms/Foster Farms hasta su jubilación en el 2020.

Rafael se enorgullecía de ser un hombre de familia. Su esposa, hijos, nietos y bisnieto eran su mundo. Siempre se aseguraba de que estuvieran unidos y bien cuidados, inculcando constantemente el sentido de familia en sus seres queridos. Rafael se sentía completo cuando estaba rodeado del amor y la alegría de su familia. Su color favorito era el azul cielo. Disfrutaba usar guayaberas. Le encantaba viajar, cultivar plantas en su jardín y jugar dominó. Era conocido por preparar su famoso rompope y gelatina de leche. En una noche especial, enseñó a sus nietos a hacer buñuelos, un recuerdo que guardarán para siempre. Su sonrisa y sus hoyuelos reflejaban todo el amor que tenía para ofrecer a sus amigos y familiares. Era diferente, único, amable como ningún otro, y siempre estaba ahí, sin importar la hora ni el lugar, para quien amaba. Su amor era incondicional e inigualable. Deja un vacío en los corazones de quienes lo amaron. Lo extrañaremos profundamente.

A Rafael le sobreviven su amada esposa Etelvina. También le sobreviven sus hijos: Norma (y su pareja Abel), Ralph (y su esposa Sonia), Albert (y su esposa Mónica), Joe (y su pareja Kyndra), Paul (y su esposa Andrienna) y Raquel (y su esposo John). Como querido abuelo, le sobreviven sus nietos: Karissa, Dalen, Alyssa, Kiara, Eric, Jacob, Alex, Noah, Alexis, Nathan, Lauryn, Juliana, Andrew y Ryan. Le sobrevive su bisnieto Jaxxon. También le sobreviven sus hermanos: Adán, Delia, Leonor Consepcion, Efraín, Guillermina, Miguel, Felipe y Ramiro.

Le precedieron en la muerte: su padre José, su madre Raquel, sus dos hermanos Ramón y Juvenal, y su hermana Alicia.

Se llevará a cabo una visita en Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, ubicada en 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720, el Jueves, 7 de Agosto de 2025, de 4:00 pm a 6:00 pm. Esto será seguido por el Rezo del Santo Rosario en el mismo lugar a las 6:00 p.m.

La Misa del Servicio Funerario Cristiano está programado para el Viernes, 8 de Agosto de 2025, en la Iglesia Católica María Reina de los Apóstoles, ubicada en 4636 W Dakota Ave, Fresno, CA 93722, comenzando a las 10:00 am y el servicio de entierro inmediatamente después de la misa funerario en el Cementerio Fresno Memorial Gardens, 175 S Cornelia Ave, Fresno, CA 93706.

A continuación, habrá una recepción.

Rafael será recordado con amor y respeto por todos los que lo conocieron.

Se pueden compartir buenos recuerdos y expresiones de condolencias en www.whitehurstsullivan.com para la familia Sánchez.