Raymond Sanchez February 25, 1945 ~ June 6, 2023 (age 78)

The Rosary for Raymond Sanchez, 78, of Portales, will be recited at 9:00 AM, Mon., June 12, 2023 at St. Helen Catholic Church.  The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:00 AM by Fr. Francisco Carbajal.  Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery with Gary Pacheco, Johnny Pacheco, Daniel Chavez, Billy Chavez, Michael Pelland, Paul Lucero, Tino Pacheco and Patrick Chavez serving as pallbearers.  Tommy Contreras, Joe Pacheco, Ricky Pacheco, Joe Chavez and Bobby Contreras along with all of his many, many friends and his hundreds of nieces, nephews and cousins will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Raymond Sanchez was born Feb. 25, 1945 in Monahan’s, TX to Margarita Sanchez, and died June 6, 2023 in Lubbock, TX.  He lived in Elida as a child, and then moved to Portales.  When he was just a boy, Raymond quit school to make sure his mother had what she needed after his step father died, and he also helped raise his sister.  Through his sacrifice, he was eventually able to buy his mother a house in Portales.

On Sept. 30, 1967, at St. Helen Catholic Church in Portales, he was married to Mary Angela Chavez.  He didn’t know when he got married to Mary that her sisters came with her.  As a brother-in-law he and his wife made sure those sisters and their families could come to them if they needed help with anything.  He was uncle to many, many, many nieces and nephews, and was the Godfather of many children. As an uncle he gave a lot of advice, along with that, he taught them how to work and be responsible

As a husband, he was a hard worker, a good provider, and cook.  He also tended to their animals. He and Mary built a house on highway 70, two miles past the hospital.  Although they both worked hard, they still had time for family and friends. He loved the flowers his wife planted, and every evening Raymond and his wife, Mary, would sit outside and look at their beautiful flowers.  Together, they also had a large garden, that provided chili, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini and corn that they loved to share with everyone.

Raymond was very active in car shows, and how he loved his blue 66 Malibu. He and his good friend, Robert Garcia, traveled all over the southwest to compete in antique car shows.

Raymond drove a feed truck for Purina for many years, and later for Good’s Feed and Supply.  He had been retired since 2008. As a result of his career, Raymond became friends with many ranchers throughout NM. He never met a stranger, and even if he didn’t know you, he would start up a conversation.

Raymond was a part of the the Kenna Men’s Easter Breakfast. It began in 1982 and has been continued since then, except for one year when it rained big, and it had to be canceled, and then in 2020 and 2021 it was cancelled for Covid. For the first 20 years, Raymond’s old boss, Tot Sadler, furnished the eggs for the breakfast. Raymond first got involved because of Tot. He began helping cook and serve at least 20 years ago. He, along with Herschel Dixon and Durward Dixon would come together every year. He was a very important member of the crew. He was so hurt that he wasn’t able to attend this year due to his illness.  Raymond was a man of great faith, and certainly left the world a better place than when he found it.  He will be greatly missed!

He is survived by Mary, his wife of almost 56 years of their home; his sisters-in-law, Lucy Chavez of Santa Rosa, NM, Romana Lucero of Fort Sumner, NM, Delia Caballero of Fort Sumner, NM, Florinda Salas of Rio Rancho, NM and Juanita “Jane” Chavez of Peoria, AZ; a brother-in-law, Santiago Chavez and his wife, Linda of Albuquerque; as well as literally hundreds of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and countless cousins.  He was preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Margarita and Pete Contreras; two brothers, Pete Corralez and Pylie Contreras; a sister, Manuela Padilla; and two sisters-in-law, Querina Pelland and Susanna Pacheco.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Raymond Sanchez, please visit our floral store.