Patrick Joseph Sanchez

SSG PATRICK JOSEPH SANCHEZ Joey Patrick Joseph Sanchez, a very dedicated and loving father, brother, son and soldier, was called to Heaven on Saturday, May 3, 2008. He was known as Joseph to his family and childhood friends and as Patrick Joseph to his military friends. Joseph was born on December 5, 1982, in Fresno, Ca. to Raul and Margaret Sanchez, the third of three children. He attended schools in Fresno graduating from Edison Computech. After high school, Joseph enlisted in the U.S. Army and received training as a nurse. As a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, Joseph had attained the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSG). He earned his first Army Commendation Medal while filling in as the Medical Platoon Sergeant. He was in charge of all the medical support for an Infantry Task Force and exceeded all expectations, especially from such a young and junior non commissioned officer. During a subsequent support mission, SSG Sanchez' commitment to and performance of his duties earned him his first Meritorious Service Medal. He is a member of the U.S. Army Reserve having served over six years. In the Army, he was often referred to as Doc which is a term Soldiers will place only on medical personnel they trust with their life. SSG Sanchez was a Soldier that you would trust with your back when in combat as a result of his demonstrated focus and discipline. Joseph became a Registered Nurse in 2007. He often said he truly loved his work and it showed with his patients and coworkers. Joseph worked at the Community Regional Medical Center from the time he was released from active duty from the Army until his death. He recognized that serving the emergency medical needs of those going to the Emergency Room would better prepare him to take care of soldiers in combat when he was activated. Joseph was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Sanchez. He is survived by his father, Raul Sanchez; his older brother, Christopher Sanchez and his wife Diane; his older sister, Jaclyn Fleming and her husband Curt of Friant, Ca.; and his son, Lucas Patrick Sanchez and his mother, Erica Whitaker. Viewing will be at the Chapel of the Light Funeral Home, 1620 W. Belmont Ave. in Fresno, Ca. on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m.. A Funeral Service will be held at the Cross Church, 4545 N. Palm Ave. in Fresno, Ca. on Thursday, May 8, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.. Military Honors will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the trust fund for his son, Lucas Patrick Sanchez at the Educational Employees Credit Union. CHAPEL OF THE LIGHT Funeral Home 1620 West Belmont Avenue Fresno, Ca. (559)233-6254 Everything in one beautiful place