Angel H Sanchez Sr.

Angel Sanchez, Sr. passed away on August 16th, joining his beautiful wife Jeanette in heaven. Born in Eastland, Texas on August 2, 1923, he moved to California in 1935 with his parents and 14 siblings. He was a decorated war hero who served his country proudly as part of the U.S. Army 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division HRS Reenacted during World War II. His records show that he fought with valor, courage, and loyalty. He was recipient of numerous recognitions including multiple bronze stars for valor and his unit was recognized with several Presidential Unit Citations. He was a machine gunner who rose to the rank of Tech Sergeant and fought bravely in New Guinea and the Philippines. After the Japanese surrender he served as part of the disarmament program in Japan, where he grew to love and admire the Japanese people and their culture.

Following the war he spent 38 years with United Insurance where he met a beautiful woman named Jeanette. Their love grew and they soon wed. The two of them raised three children, two boys and one girl, in Riverside. After retiring from United Insurance, Angel grew restless and worked a few odd jobs (including being a rancher) before going to work for the City of Riverside, CA - City Government Public Utilities department where he worked in their We Care program for over 20 years.

He will be best remembered for his commitment to the community and his love for the city. His primary focus was always on serving others and he worked with numerous non profit groups including Rebuilding Riverside Together, Neighborhood Watch, City of Riverside, CA - CERT, and the Jurupa Valley Adopt a Family Program. He was also very engaged in community politics and once he chose a candidate for office he worked tirelessly to help them get elected. He was also an active member of St Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church for over 80 years.

Angel spent his entire life in service to others. Just a few days before the fall that eventually took his life, he had insisted on going to the grocery store to buy food for an elderly neighbor that had fallen on tough financial times. He would frequently travel to the home of a good friend to pick fruit to distribute to various senior centers and to neighbors. There are many stories about what he has done for others. His son, Angel, Jr. remembers reading a letter from the California Highway Patrol thanking him for chasing down and detaining a suspect who he witnessed injure an officer. Even in combat he was known for looking out for the well being of his soldiers and even of captured enemies. He taught his children to "always do more for your neighbors than do for yourself." and lived that mantra like no one else.

Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius once said “Waste no time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”

Angel Sanchez, Sr. was one.

Donations can be made in Lieu of flowers to the Angel Sanchez, Sr. Scholarship fund managed by the Jurupa Valley Adopt a Family Program.