David Sanchez

One of the most loving, loved, honest, humble, and considerate men have died.  A man who carried many titles, husband, son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend.  A jack of all trades with a flare for benevolence whose generosity was matched by none.  David Antonio Sanchez took his final breath Friday morning, July 26, 2019 surrounded by his family.  This put an end to his nearly 10 year fight with stage 4 cancer.  ‘The only way out is through’ mentality pushed him beyond expectations, all the while, maintaining the most up-beat and positive attitude.  His faith in God made much of this possible.  However, the birth and death of this great man is not as nearly significant as all the days and nights that he lived to the fullest between those two dates.  He was born in Deming, New Mexico to Max and Guadalupe Sanchez on September 11, 1974.  He grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico where he spent much of his time working with his family on their property.  He had fond memories of his siblings Max (Boy), Richard, Carlos, Laura, and Irene.  He enjoyed going to concerts back then and working on cars.  He graduated from Mayfield High School and became a HVAC technician.  He loved working with his hands and could fix just about anything.  Following that accomplishment his first daughter Sunday was born.  Soon after he had his second daughter, Donna.  Being a young parent was tough, but he enjoyed it and worked hard to provide.  He had many years of trial and errors.  Many mistakes were made that shaped the humility and understanding that encompassed David.  Never one to judge because it wasn't his job, and he knew that.  He met the love of his life Shannon Portl, in 2000 while doing a house call at her residence.  Later, he found out where she worked and repeatedly frequented there in order to get her attention.  Confidently boasting to her that he was going to marry her one day.  Little did she know he would get his wish, and it would be the greatest delight of her life. Shannon had four children of her own whom David also fell in love with.  Jana, Jk, Jared, and Ticca all bonded with David quickly and over an array of things.  The children had a rough time adjusting at first.  They learned very quickly though that blood wasn't always what family meant.  In 2006, the modified Sanchez clan relocated to Silver City, New Mexico starting a new life.  By 2007, he married Shannon and radiated the “one flesh” outlook that he believed in so deeply.  David rebuilt his life from scratch in a place he had never known.  In 2010, shortly after his diagnosis, his first granddaughter Kaya was born.  She brought much joy to his life and was a staple in his desire to fight this ugly illness.  He enjoyed working maintenance for the Silver Cliff Apartments and was a pleasure to the residences.  He went over and beyond for the tenants.  He had numerous special older women there who he took care of  treating them with dignity and loyalty.  He had an extensive amount of surgeries, radiation, chemotherapy, clinical trials, removal of tumors, rotten bones, glands, and even an extraction of his pallet.  All the while continuing his position at work and even moving up to management throughout the whole ordeal.  In 2014, his second granddaughter was born, Symphony.  By 2015, his cancer had progressed so badly he was sent home and given 3 days to live.  David would not accept that fate yet.  He fought vigorously seeking alternative paths and felt comfort from his faith and his family.  Surviving another year he had the privilege of seeing his two grandsons be born, Remmy and Jonah in 2016.  In the final years of his life he became very close to God.  Moving him to the decision to be baptized into Christianity which brought a new outlook on his continued faith.  He was proceeded in death by his brothers Richard in 1997 and Boy in 2016. These two deaths weighed heavy on his heart until his last breath.  His fight taught many to appreciate the little things and to have faith in the things not seen.  It was hard to be sad around David, he just wouldn’t allow it.  Saying he will be missed would be an insult to an understatement.  Please join us Friday, August 9, 2019 at 10 a.m. for a celebration of his brief but fulfilled life at the Harvest Fellowship Church here in Silver City.

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