Javier Sanchez

Francisco Javier Sanchez passed away May 28, 2024, at the age of 73, surrounded by loved ones after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Javier was born in El Paso but raised in our sister city, Ciudad Juarez until the age of 15, when his father moved the family to El Paso. He always said that he was the apple of his teachers' eyes and that he learned all that he needed by the 2nd grade.  He was a proud graduate of La Tech, serving as Sophomore Prince, and it was where he made numerous friendships that lasted almost 60 years.   It was in high school that he met his future wife, Mary Lopez, and they were married almost 45 years, until her passing in 2020.

Javier had a thirst of knowledge, and he was a voracious reader of newspapers, both in English and Spanish.  To this day, his cars and kitchen table were covered in newspapers that he devoured daily.   Javier's educational pursuits led him to his beloved UTEP, where he ended up graduating with both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in journalism.  He held numerous jobs throughout his life, including working as News Director for El Paso's Channel 26, Univision as well as writing for numerous publications in Juarez.  He eventually ended up at El Paso Community College, where he worked in Public Relations for almost 30 years, and in fact, continued teaching there after his retirement, as recently as this past year.  He always was quick to say that he never worked a day in his life, that he was lucky to be doing what he loved as a profession.  

Javier had a passion for sports, namely boxing and American Football, and he was fortunate enough to spend most of his life as a sportswriter.  He covered the UTEP Miners for the better part of last 40 years.  As recently as April, he was at the Sun Bowl covering the UTEP Blue-White game.  He was fortunate enough to develop a friendship with one of his childhood heroes, Jose Mantequilla Napoles, and even held a fundraiser for him when the retired boxer fell on hard times at the end of his life.  He spent the better part of the last 45 years following and covering the careers of such legends as Salvador Sanchez, Julio Cesar Chavez, Roberto Duran, Johnny Tapia, and Oscar De la Hoya, and developed a unique relationship with them, as well as with most of the legendary boxing trainers, promoters, and reporters of the time.   

His other passion was music.  His two favorites were Elvis Presley and Jose Alfredo Jimenez, and was quick to let everyone know that no one would ever come close to those 2 entertainers.  In his eyes, Elvis was the King, Jose Alfredo Jimenez was the greatest songwriter ever, Mickey Mantle was the greatest baseball player ever, and Pistol Pete Maravich was the best basketball player ever.   To argue this with him was an exercise in futility.  

Javier loved to travel, and regardless of their financial situation, him and Mary would load up the car with Javier, Mari and Audrey every year and head off on numerous adventures.  This love of travel continued all his life, as he was always quick to jump in the car to go explore new places.  He loved going to a new town, finding a nice bar, and striking up a conversation with anyone, quickly winning them over with one of his numerous tales. 

Javier was always very active, as he continued to play basketball and racquetball into his 70s.  He was well known throughout town for setting up and running numerous basketball leagues through the years.  He played with and against a who's who of basketball royalty from El Paso and would even travel out of town for tournaments.  Of course, the best part came afterwards when the guys would gather over a cold beer and bust each other's chops.  

To know Javier was to know that he almost never went anywhere without his camera; everyone knew that he would be clicking away making sure he captured every moment.  He had tens of thousands of pictures and the treasured ones were proudly displayed in his man cave, covering just about every inch of every wall.  From President George W. Bush, to Farah Fawcett and Lee Majors, to just about every big time Dallas Cowboy of the past 60 years, he had pictures with them all!  The most special ones though were of his wife, children and grandchildren.  

His greatest role occurred when he became a grandfather to his beloved chavos.   It was a role that he so cherished, and he was always talking about his grandchildren to anyone.  His grandchildren were very fortunate to have grown up with their grandparents who always went above and beyond what was expected in helping to help raise, spoil, and nurture them.

Javier is predeceased by his wife Mary, daughter Audrey, father Baudelio, mother Inocencia, sister Graciela, and brother Ernesto.  He is survived by son Javier (Karina), daughter Mari (Mike), brother Lorenzo, sister Rosa, sister Alicia, and brother Jaime.  In addition, he is survived by grandchildren Josafen, Justine, Ashley, Paulina, Nick, Isabella, Isaiah, Noah, Javier III and Karissa.

Visitation will be from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM with a Eulogy at 4:00 PM, Friday, June 14, 2024 at Sunset Funeral Homes - East, 750 N. Carolina.