Jose Liber Sanchez

Jose L. Sanchez passed away peacefully on October 5, 2021 at The Retreat in Fishersville. Jose was born on May 21, 1927, to the late Elena Colon and Jose Diego Sanchez. He was raised by his loving aunt “Titi” Maria T. Sanchez-Acre. Titi brought Jose to the mainland from Puerto Rico when he was a young boy and lovingly nurtured him. Jose served in the United States Armed Forces more than half his life, joining the Army Air Corps (US Air Force) as a teenager after the end of World War ll. Jose honorably served our nation during the rebuilding of the Philippines after World War ll, and in Korea and Vietnam wars. He was very proud of his contributions in multiple military clandestine special operations, most of which he would never speak about. While in traveling via train from New York to an assignment in Arizona, he met the love of his life. Jose knew within minutes of seeing Betty walk on the train that she was going to be his wife. Within hours of meeting each other they got off at a train stop in Kingman, Arizona and got married. They were happily married 54 years and were blessed with five children, 19 grandchildren and at last count 22 great grandchildren! Jose lovingly cared for Betty after her stroke and was at her side when she died in 2004. Jose subsequently moved to Virginia where he lived out his remaining years close to family in the Shenandoah Valley. Jose is survived by their five children, Randy Sanchez of Tacoma, WA, Julie and her husband, Robert Carrothers of Clemmons, NC, Denise and her husband, James Baldwin of Navarre, FL, Angie and her husband, Kevin McFarling of Stuarts Draft, Va., and Treisa and her husband, Gene Caporale of Cleveland, GA. Over the past few years, Jose was blessed by the care he received through the Veteran’s Home Health Program based in Staunton. We cannot say enough kind words about this program and the positive impact it provided Jose. In the last few months, he was made to feel as part of the community by the very special caregivers and staff of The Retreat in Fishersville. Augusta Health Hospice also cared for Jose during the last month of his life and made sure his last days were comfortable and his family well supported. Their exceptional attention to both Jose and our family will never be forgotten. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the Stuarts Draft Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes, 1870 Stuarts Draft Highway, Stuarts Draft, Va. with Father Matthias Lusembo officiating. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to two non-profits that were close to Jose's heart: https://givebutter.com/stfrancis-haiti-outreach-ministry and/or https://k9justiceleague.com/join-us/donate/. Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com