Domingo Sanchez Jr.

July 7, 1935 - January 12, 2016

Domingo Sanchez, Jr., 81, of Rio Grande City died Tuesday, January 12, 2016, following a lengthy illness. Domingo was born in Rio Grande City on January 7, 1935, where he lived until he joined the Army in January 1953. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Domingo joined the US Air Force, where he served until his retirement in April 1973. He became a Border Patrol Agent in 1975 and was stationed in Chula Vista, California, during which time he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from San Diego State University. In 1982, Domingo transferred to his hometown of Rio Grande City, where he retired from the US Border Patrol in May 1995. He is survived by his wife, Socorro S. Sanchez of Santa Fe, New Mexico; four sons, Domingo III and wife, Laurie; José Daniel and wife, Frances; and Roy of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Manuel and wife, Patricia of Albuquerque, New Mexico; three daughters, Delia Sanchez of Santa Fe; Diana DeVargas and husband, Paul of Los Lunas, New Mexico; and Susan Benavidez and husband, Edwin of Pecos, New Mexico; 14 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren; brothers, Roberto and wife, Vicky of Harlingen; Leonel and wife, Patty of Edinburg; Ricardo and wife, Maria Elena of San Antonio; and David and wife, Gracie of College Station; sisters, Magdalena Jones and husband, Ray of Edinburg; and Diana Ceballos and husband, Richard of Tampa, Florida; long-time companion, Josefina (Fina) Obregon; and many relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Domingo Sanchez, Sr.; mother, Delia Constantino Sanchez; brother, Ramon Sanchez; sister, Maria Celeste Sanchez; and grandsons, Shane Gonzales and Adam Benavidez. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 14 at Sanchez Funeral Home, 301 East Second Street, Rio Grande City. Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 15 at Immaculate Conception Church, 101 East Canales, Rio Grande City. Interment will follow at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery, 2520 South Inspiration Road, Mission. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Military Community Youth Ministries (MCYM), 540 N. Cascade, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.