Claude Sanches

Claude Sanches, 87 of Corsicana went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Navarro Regional Hospital in Corsicana. He was born on July 12, 1938, in Teague, Texas to parents, Mike Omar and Jewel Irene Franklin Sanches.

He attended school at the old Providence school, and later Mildred where he graduated. He was a veteran having served his country in the U. S. Army 82nd Airborne division obtaining the rank of sergeant. He was a heavy equipment operator of a front-end loader, and at times a bulldozer for many years with the R. E. Hable Road Construction Company until their closure. He then worked for Mike McCormick in Waxahachie and later worked and finally parked his loader for the last time upon his retirement from Champagne-Webber Road Construction Company. He was known to be one of the best front end loader operators around and had gained the respect of nearly all of the truck drivers he had loaded over the years. After retirement he loved to go fishing, watching all of his favorite TV shows and sitting outside in the mornings drinking coffee. He was a piano player and an avid music lover enjoying blues and rock and roll, especially Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard. He enjoyed going on early morning country rides stopping to eat breakfast somewhere.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Jewel Sanches, brothers Bill Dodson, Benny Earl Sanches and Herman Sanches, sister Thelma Smith, grandson Hayden Lynn Ratliff, father-in-law Gene Reagan, 2 nephews and 3 nieces.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Charlene Sanches, sons Randy Ratliff and wife Rebekah, Toby Ratliff and wife Linda, granddaughters Madison Ratliff Carr and husband Orion, Faith and Bella Owen, grandson Isaac Owen, sisters Shirley Milligan and Judy Hamby and husband Truman, brother Harold Sanches and wife Deborah, mother-in law Earline Reagan, brother in law David Young and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation with the family will be held from 5:00 - 8:00 pm on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Michael Bedard and Rev. Eric Larsen officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Randy Ratliff, Toby Ratliff, Orion Carr, Jay Tidwell, Robert Newland and Sidney Newland. Honorary pallbearers are Jerry Reagan, Ed Garrett and Carl Atchley.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, the St. Jude's or Scottish Rite Children's Hospitals for those desiring to do so.