Obituary of John Sanchez

Age 62, passed away on 11/30/2011 at Redlands Community Hospital. He was born on 5/23/1949 in Arlington, Riverside, CA to John, Sr. & Grace Sanchez. He was a life-long resident of Banning, graduating from Banning High School and Mt. San Jacinto College. He worked as a lineman for Southern California Edison for 20 years; inspector (retired), contractor to Edison for 14 years, construction coordinator (retired). He served in the Army, 1st Cavalry Airborne, was a Vietnam Veteran, received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device, Expert Rifle, Bronze Metal and a Mexican American Community Award. He was also a member of the Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church in Banning. John is survived by his son, John Sanchez III of San Bruno, CA; daughters, Lenette and Sonia Sanchez of Banning, CA; sisters, Patricia Persechini, Chelina Dawson of Banning, CA, Karen Bernal of Fontana, CA and Janice Harp of Banning, CA; brothers, Michael Sanchez, Sr, Jack Sanchez and William Sanchez of Banning, CA, Ronald Sanchez of Victorville, CA; and the Becerra, Miranda, Mendoza, Hernandez families. He was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Toni Sanchez; mother, Grace Sanchez of Banning, CA; father, John Sanchez, Sr. of Hemet, CA; grandparents, Jesus and Guadalupe Sanchez of Cabazon, CA; Salvador and Fermina Becerra of Banning, CA; and father-in-law Juan Mendoza of Banning, CA.