Mike Sanchez

Mike Sanchez died on Dec. 1 at home in the arms of his wife and daughter. Mike was born in Des Moines, New Mexico, to Joe and Agnes Sanchez on April 10, 1950.

He had an amazing life and always lived life to the fullest. He made friends everywhere he went and had a way about him that made everyone he knew laugh. He was an amazing husband, father, papa, son, brother, uncle and friend.

He was a true cowboy at heart, working as a “caballero” most of his life at Schaakes Feed lot, El Oro Feed lot, ScabRock and Para Brothers feed lots. After suffering a debilitating back injury, he had to hang up his spurs but never quit working, just stopped punching the time clock.

Mike obsessively hauled and split wood for his family home. He loved fishing and hunting, he would be at the river for days at a time trying to hook that monster sturgeon and out in the field hunting everyday of the season if he didn’t bag a deer on opening morning.

He shared his love for hunting and fishing with all his kids and grandkids, teaching all of them about his favorite sports from the time they were born.

Above all, he loved to spend time with his family, wife, children and grandchildren. He especially enjoyed sleepovers with his grandkids when they stayed up until 1 a.m. eating candy, watching cartoons or dancing the night away to music.

He was fun loving and wanted everyone around him to be happy and have a good time. He helped everyone around town with their yards, mowing, cutting trees and shoveling sidewalks when it snowed.

Mike is survived by his wife Barbara of Washtucna and his mother Agnes Sanchez of Ritzville. He is also survived by his sisters Vera Sanchez of Pasco, Judy (Juan) Rocha of Moses Lake, Mary (Poncho) of Fort Morgan, Col., brother Larry Sanchez of Colorado.

His children Max (Judy) Sanchez of Mead, Anthony Sanchez of Washtucna, Amelia (Manuel) Bernal, Stephanie Sanchez, Vanessa Sanchez, all of Ritzville, and Rachel Sanchez of Connell also survive him. He is survived by grandsons Darren Laughlin, Austin, Dom and Junior Sanchez, and granddaughters Vinessa, Arienna and Yasenia Bernal, and Izzabella Sanchez, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mike was preceded in death by his father Joe Sanchez, sister Joann Sanchez and brother Joe Sanchez, Jr.

His family is hosting a Celebration of Life on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 1 p.m. at the Grange Hall in Washtucna.