Armando Mando F. Sanchez

Armando “Mando” Franco Sanchez, 72, of Victorville, California, passed away on Monday, September 16, 2013 in Rancho Cucamonga following a lengthy illness. Armando was a Believer in our Savior Jesus Christ, and as such, we take great comfort in knowing he went to be with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord."

Armando was born December 25, 1940 in Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico. He was the son of the late Mariano Sanchez and the late Guadalupe Sanchez. He came to the United States in his mid-twenties to join other family members. He settled in the Los Angeles, California area, and on October 18, 1969 he married Nellie Alice (Hernandez) Campos in Los Angeles, California. Armando worked as a custom boat maker for many years, and later as a landscaper prior to his retirement.

Armando is survived by his son, Jesus “Chuey” Sanchez and his wife Elsie of Upland, CA; daughter Amanda "Mandy" Sadie Norman and her husband Cliff of Victorville, CA; step-children Gloria Ortega and her husband Hiram “Joe” of Nampa, ID; the late Frankie Campos of Ontario, CA; Ernie Campos and his wife Gloria “Chris” of Emmett, ID; the late Robert Campos and surviving spouse Gloria Campos of Ontario, CA; the late Michael Campos and surviving spouse Cathy Campos of Chino, CA; Margaret Campos of Riverside, CA; Mary Campos of Riverside, CA; Stephen Campos and his wife Josie of Eastvale, CA; Leonard Campos and his wife Mariam of Hesperia, CA; Dalbert Campos of Huntington Beach, CA; the late Ramone Campos of Ontario, CA; Rebecca Campos of Eastvale, CA; and Tommy Campos of Victorville, CA.

Additionally, Armando had 39 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren with 2 on the way. His surviving sisters are Carmen, Tutus, Chica, Concha, and Ale of AZ, and Martha, of Agua Prieta, MX. Surviving brothers are Beto of Los Angeles, CA, and Lupe of Agua Prieta, MX. He had many nieces and nephews.

Armando was a very kind and humble man who loved his family dearly. It gave him great satisfaction to give to others, even though he was a man with little possessions. He enjoyed cooking, grilling, gardening, bargain thrift-shopping, traveling to Mexico and spending time with his children, grandchildren and extended family. He had a love for small pets and honorable mentions include Pekingese dogs, Pinocchio, Pimenta and Buffy, Chula, a Cockatoo named eh-Snoopy, and a turtle named Shelley. He had a natural green thumb and could grow anything. Favorite holidays were Christmas, because it was his birthday and Halloween because he loved candy. The microwave was not used for cooking; instead it was used for his hidden stash of sweet treats, such as, pan dulce, cookies, donuts (apple fritters), pie and other pastries. Every morning he enjoyed café con leche, a latte that put Starbucks to shame!

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nellie, in 2009 after a lengthy illness. Armando and Nellie were married for nearly 40 years when she went to be with the Lord. In the latter years of their marriage, Armando's love for Nellie remained strong as was evident by the way he cared for her when her health began to fail. He was the love of her life, and we are forever grateful for his commitment to love and care for our mother to the very end.

Our dad and his kind spirit will always be remembered and missed, especially during the Christmas season. Proverbs 19:22 "What is desired in a man is kindness. And a poor man is better than a liar."