Abel A. Sanchez Sr.

Abel A. Sanchez Sr., was called to his Heavenly Father on February 2, 2021.  He was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 24, 1941.  Abel attended Roy Miller High School in Corpus Christi.  He proudly served in the United States Marines in Vietnam from June 1966 to July 1967 with Delta company 1st BN. 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division.  Infantry Rifleman 0311 shortly after servicing CPL. Sanchez received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal 1, Vietnamese Campaign Medal and was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart Medal.  He started working with the United States Postal Service and retired after 35 years as a letter carrier.  He enjoyed playing golf, eating breakfast every morning with his buddy’s and playing poker every Friday.  He also coached Little League Football.  Abel was mentioned in a book by the name of “Apprentices of War” by Gary L. Tornes.  Abel also was part of the Color Guard, Marine Corp League, American GI Forum and Veterans of Foreign Wars.  He volunteered at the Veteran’s center and taught classes about drugs, alcohol and PTSD.  Abel was always someone who was willing to help, whether it was giving the shirt off his back or words of wisdom.  
He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Sanchez and Josefina Sanchez, brothers, Alfonso Sanchez, Jesus Sanchez, Edward Sanchez, sisters, Irene Gonzales, Mary Helen DeLeon, Mary Louisa Gonzales.
Abel is survived by his loving wife, Enriqueta ”Kenny” Sanchez, after a love at first sight meeting and have been together since for 52 years, sons, Glen J. Sanchez (Mary), Abel A. Sanchez Jr., Randy William Sanchez, daughter, Myra W. Sanchez-Gutierrez (Alan), grandchildren, Jordan E. Sanchez, Zachary E. Sanchez (Mom, Marie Escochea), Evan Rodriguez, Randi De La Garza, Zoe S. Gutierrez, sisters, Ruth Gomez, Josie Garza, Lisa Johnson and brother, Armando Sanchez.

Visitation will be held at 10AM on Friday, February 19, 2021 at Corpus Christi Funeral Home, followed by Graveside service at 1PM at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery.