HENRY SANCHEZ

HENRY SANCHEZ
Henry J. Sanchez passed way on November 18, 2021, after a short illness. He was the youngest of twelve children born to former U.S. Marshal Felipe Sanchez y Baca and his wife Manuelita Gutierrez de Sanchez.
Henry moved to Santa Fe in 1934 when his father was appointed U.S. Marshall by then President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Henry attended public school in Santa Fe and graduated from Santa Fe High in 1942. He was a member of the student council and was class president during his senior year. After graduation Henry attended the University of New Mexico (UNM). Henry signed up for the NROTC program and was commissioned in the
U.S. Navy as an Ensign in January 1943 and served in the South Pacific. While serving in Okinawa a typhoon hit the island on October 8th - 10th and his ship, the LSM361 along with 100 plus other ships were shipwrecked during the storm. He was stationed with the Marine Corps in Okinawa while salvage operations were performed on his ship. After several months the salvage operations were not successful, so his ship had to be
destroyed. Henry was sent home on 30-day survivors leave and was later discharged from active duty in 1945 and then placed on reserve duty until 1956. Henry returned to UNM to continue his education and graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Henry was then employed with the New Mexico State Highway Department until he retired in 1984 after 36-years of service.
In 1950 Henry married Consuelo "Koki" Salas and together they raised five children. Henry and Koki completed almost 70-years of marriage. Henry was a member of the VFW and the Fraternal Order of Eagles where he served as president from 1974-1975. At one time Henry was also very active in the American Legion where he served as Finance Officer.
Henry was preceded in death by his wife Koki, parents Felipe and Manuelita, sisters Petra, Josephine, Margaret, and Bertha, and brothers Antonio, Gilbert, Joe, Max, Ernest, Phillip, and Mike.
He is survived by his sons Max, Carlos (Sally), Richard, and daughters Frances "Panch" (Anna Lopez) and Felice Silva (David). He is also survived by five grandchildren, Monica Silva (Sean Brown), Lauren Bell (Garrett), Carly Sanchez, Kathleen Silva (Christobal Gallegos), Valerie Silva and three great-grandchildren Orion and Phoenix Bell and Christobal "CJ" Gallegos Jr. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He is dearly loved by all his family and friends and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers a charitable donation can be made to the American Diabetes Association and Kidney Foundation.