David Noel Sanchez

David Noel Sanchez passed away on Monday, July 25, 2022, at his home in Maggie Valley, NC. He was born on July 7, 1943, in Shelton, Washington to his parents, Edmond and Alvina Sanchez. He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Dianne McDowell Sanchez, and his three children, David Noel Sanchez-Woods, Jr., Dana Noelle Sanchez-Mills, and Donald Nolan Sanchez.

He is also survived by close family members including his Mother-in-law, Eloise McDowell, Sister-in-law, Verna Minsey, Brother-in-law, Richard McDowell, his brothers, Jeff and Joe Sanchez, and his sisters, Louise Bennett, Cindy Sollers, Sandy Sanchez, and Teri Friend. David leaves behind his grandchildren, Ashley, Melissa, Cole Morgan, Hannah, Nicholas, and Evelyn. Also, his great grandchildren, Marley, Silas, Solare Fe, Uriah, Nora Rose, and Georgia.

David was reared between Shelton, Washington, and Oregon City, Oregon. After his High School education ended in 1959, David joined the United States Naval Forces where he served for four years with Honorable Discharge. He served as Boat Coxswain including on the USS Sandoval during the Cuban Missile Crisis and was educated in Sonar Technology.

After his Honorable Discharge, he reconnected with his sweetheart who he met while on leave. They became engaged and were married in 1965 at College Place Methodist Church followed by a Reception at Gould Mansion Museum in Brunswick, Georgia. They resided in St Simon’s Island, Georgia until moving back to Oregon where their three children were born. His career included sales and leadership roles in the building industry, and he founded his own business, Sunburst Interiors, Inc. in 1980. He moved on into the Auto Industry for several years followed by a local police career in North Georgia and fully retired in 2012.

As a child, he was a free spirit who lived fishing and exploring the river, cliffs, caves, and mountains of Oregon City. During the Summers, he and his brothers would work in the plentiful orchards, vineyards, and fields of Oregon to make personal income and to help with family expenses.

David was a beloved Husband, Father, and Friend. Everyone knew him to be a humble and loving servant of God. During his career, he also pastored and was a deacon within the Methodist and Baptist Conferences and was ordained in May 2000. He served as Youth Leader, a Sunday School Teacher, a Bible Study Teacher, Missionary Pastor, and Marriage Encounters Speaker. Additionally, he served as Administrator of Child Evangelism Fellowship for five years, 1973 to 1978.

He and his wife founded The Village Chapel, which was a non-denominational church and was incorporated by the State of Georgia in 1999.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, August 24 at Satilla Baptist Church with Pastor Scottie Pitts officiating. Graveside Military Honors will be held in the church cemetery following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Haywood Christian Ministries athttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=P2QQ5CR5LF6TU

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