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Pastor Dan Sanchez, 61, husband, father, grandfather, brother, minister and friend, a lifelong resident of Albuquerque went to be with the Lord on September 19, 2002. Pastor Dan is the beloved husband of 44 years to Mrs. Jennie L. Sanchez; beloved son in law to Boleslo and Josefita Benavidez; beloved father to Pastor Danny P. Sanchez and wife, Barbara, Andrew Sanchez and wife, Michele, Marlo Torres and husband, Ralph; grandchildren, Felicia Medrano and husband, Mario, Natalie Borunda and husband, Tommy, Sandra Gonzalez and husband, Hugo, Jennifer Sanchez, Andrew Sanchez and his fiance, Denise, Josiah Torres and Alexandria Torres, Jessie Fernandez and fiance, Irene; great grandchildren, Judah Borunda, Mario Medrano Jr. and Elijah Fernandez; two brothers, Max Sanchez and Ben Sanchez; one sister, Rosie Pedrego; sisters in law, Lillie Jaramillo and husband, Paul and Dorothy Benavidez; brother in law, James Benavidez and wife, Rosemary; many aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The legacy of Dan Sanchez is one of diversity, tolerance and a message of hope for anyone who came his way, whether it be a taxicab driver, a waitress or a person standing in a line at the store. His favorite line was always to ask for directions. Then immediately ask if they knew how to get to heaven. Dan was a humanitarian in every sense of the word. Although he remained in bondage to drugs for over 23 years, including a severe heroin addiction, the day he broke free until the very day of his death, he worked to help others overcome their addictions. It became his ultimate mission in life. He took strangers from the very depths of gutters into his own home to help them realize the dreams and potential that he himself thought he could never attain. He reminded them of his once hard-core addiction and resulting relationship problems and how the Lord had set him free and given him a fresh start. His message was continuous and unfaltering. He was a true servant of Christ who owed to work the ministry until the day he died. Through the time he spent working with strangers who eventually became his children and constant friends, he became heavy hearted and became determined to build the sometimes distant and once shaken relationships with his three children and his wife. Although it seemed like a mountain, it quickly became a molehill. Dan's children immediately grasped his extended hand without regret or remembrance of times once not so pleasant. They revered him in every way, never wavering in their quest to prove their own love for him. Dan's wife, Jennie Sanchez, stood by her husband through many years of turmoil and through many years during his service in the ministry. He was a mentor to his own family, including his children and wife, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister, brothers, cousins, nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, his mother, his grandmother and his wife's extended family. He was an inspiration to those he knew throughout the years, friends and acquaintances. He touched the lives of young and old alike because of his perseverance, his faithfulness and his refusal to permit Satan to steal what he believed to be gold: his children, his wife, and the ministry that he was clearly called to. The day that Dan Sanchez died and went to be with his savior, it can honestly be said that he had mended his family in every complete way, he had released any amount of false pride he might have ever had, he was a humble, generous, caring, considerate man who would have laid down his life for his family or for his fellow man, even a stranger. He loved others as Jesus loves us, he loved his wife as Jesus loved the church and he loved his children unconditionally and provided a good solid example in the ways of his savior. He was able to accomplish what every man should and can accomplish before the day of their own deaths. Dan only went to the 8th grade, but through the grace of our Lord Jesus, willingly went to the school of spirituality and left here with a PhD in dignity; a dignity that the devil could not steal. Our dad traveled near and far to find people to deliver his message from God. For every individual who Dan witnessed to there a new gem was created in paradise with his name on it. Nevertheless, Dan did it for the sole purpose of ensuring that others could have the same joy and peace that he attained. Our dad, Dan Sanchez, became everything he was supposed to be and so much more by the time he was 61 years of age...it was probably supposed to be 60, but God gave him that extra year for a few extra days of joy with his family. Therefore, his work here and his education here was complete. We must all have faith that we are ready for the hereafter on the day that we are asked what we did while on this earth. A leader is someone who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. This is the true definition of Dan Sanchez. He was a special and unique man, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, a surrogate father and true friend to all of those who he ministered to. He was dearly respected and loved by all who knew him. Dan was a man with great passion and compassion for life and the lives of others. The family will be excepting family and friends for visitation on Sunday evening from 6:00pm until 7:00pm at God's House Church, 2335 Wyoming Blvd. NE with a Memorial Prayer Service at 7:00pm, Pastor Danny Sanchez will officiate. Contributions may be made to the Pastor Dan Sanchez Memorial Fund, c/o PO Box 7283, Albuq, NM 87194. Gabaldon Mortuary, 1000 Old Coors Dr. SW in charge of the arrangements. 243-7861
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