Timothy Sanchez

Timothy David Sanchez was born in Boerne Texas, August 22, 1929, to Emma Fullers Sanchez & Pioquinto Sanchez.  He passed away in his sleep in the early hours of Monday, September 5, 2022, at the age of 93.

Tim grew up in San Antonio and went to Burbank High School, while in school he worked at Dairyland Creamery. Before graduating high school, Tim answered the call to serve his country and enlisted in the Marine Corps at 17 years old on September 5,1946. While in the Marine Corps, Tim served as a “Rifleman” & “Automatic Rifleman” for 2 years at the end of World War II.  He left at the rank of Corporal and returned to San Antonio where he went to work at Colonial Cake Co.   However, he re-enlisted June 1, 1952, and went to Korea where he was in Artillery, behind the front lines.

In March of 1953, while still in the Corps, Tim met Mary Lou Tucker in North Carolina where they were married.  He left the Marine Corps as a Staff Sergeant, September 17, 1953, and took his bride back to San Antonio.

While beginning his family he worked at Swift & Company, a slaughterhouse in downtown San Antonio, near the stock yards.  The first day on the job, he walked home, because he smelled so bad.  From then on, he brought a change of clothes so he could shower & ride the bus home.  He would laugh and tell this story often.

During this time, every day, he & Mary Lou would ride the bus from the house they were renting, and walk 5 blocks, to the home they were having built on Dickson St. in the Harlandale area.  Mary Lou was pregnant with their first daughter, Kathy, who was born in March of 1954.  Kathy was 9 months old when they were able to move into their new home. Their second daughter, Patty Ann, was born March 1957.

Tim dreamed of being a Fireman and was finally able to achieve his dream with the San Antonio Fire Department in 1954 where he thrived.  He LOVED the fire department and the people; they were a second family to him.  Tim knew the meaning of bravery and what it took to be a fireman; he was even in the newspaper once because he was burned while saving some children from their burning home.  He was a Capitan in the department and the higher-ups wanted him to apply for Chief, but he said he loved fighting fires too much, although he was known to substitute for vacationing Chiefs often.

Tim and Mary Lou adopted David Nicholas Davila when he was 3 years old. Their daughters: Patty Ann and Kathy, were 12 and 15 years old at that time. Tim, Mary Lou & David moved to Camp Bandina when Patty Ann graduated from high school in 1975. They loved their life at Camp Bandina, but during the flood in August of 1978, they lost everything, including their 11-year-old son, David. That was heart-breaking for everyone, but they bought another house in the area, not near the water.

After retirement from the fire department in 1984, Tim would volunteer at the Helping Hand, Meals on Wheels, and would substitute for the mail carrier. He was always helping his friends and neighbors in Bandera.

Tim was a man of habit, while living in Bandera. He loved going to the OST every morning and some evenings for his meals; he always sat with the same men and women at the same table for many years. He looked forward to Friday nights; they were special to him because he got to see his grandson, Chance, play football in the Friday night lights.  Anytime there was a function for his grandchildren, Tim would make the effort to be there, softball games, baseball games, band concerts, FFA, and 4H events – even if they were in San Antonio.  Patty Ann and her husband, Kevin had moved near them in Bandera and was able to visit with them often. He would go out to eat with Patty Ann & Kevin most Friday nights.

On October 18, 2001, Mary Lou passed away at the age of 71.  Tim lived in that house on Joiner Estates in Bandera until he moved to Fulshear July 2016 to live with his daughter, Kathy & her husband, David. While living in Fulshear, every Thursday night, Tim, Kathy, David, their neighbor, David's son, and his family, would drive 25 miles to East Bernard to eat at Dairy Queen. He moved around a bit, living in Woodville for a while then back to Fulshear; before settling at an assisted living facility, Legacy at Falcon Point, in Katy in June of 2020. He enjoyed his time there visiting with everyone, sharing stories, and flirting with the ladies.

Prior to his time there he camped with Kathy and David at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth and traveled to Bristol, Tennessee to watch their favorite NASCAR driver, Kyle Busch, win races.  One year, David was not able to go, so Tim and Kathy drove to Bristol and were able to witness Kyle Busch win all 3 races in the same weekend. This is the first time that had occurred until a couple of years later, where he did it again!  After that, Tim thought Kyle should win every race.  He even got into disagreements about his favorite driver while living at Legacy.

Tim will always be remembered for his heart, bravery, and love for his family and The Lord, no matter where he lived, he was adamant for the lord. He always wanted to attend the services. Over the years Tim was an active member of Harlandale, Highland Hills, Medina, Bandera, and Katy Church of Christ. He will be missed by many and forgotten by none.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou Sanchez; parents, Emma Fullers Sanchez & Pioquinto Sanchez; 6 sisters and brothers – Pearl, Bessie, Martha, Sunny, Marcella & Raymond; son, David Sanchez; and grandson, Matthew Ochoa, and great grandson Daniel Bazzy.

He is survived by his 2 daughters, Kathy DuBois and her husband David, Patty Ann Haby and her husband, Kevin; 4 grandchildren, Rebecca Lee Davis and her husband Marcus, Joshua David Bazzy and his wife Shelly, Sarah Elizabeth Grizzell and her husband Alex, and Chance Taylor Haby; 12 great grandchildren, Kyah, Kevin & Korbin Davis, and 2 more on the way, Samuel, Katherine & Thomas Bazzy, Sophia & Isaac Grizzell, Aiden, Makyla, Kolton & Tinsley Haby; 2 step-grandchildren, Logan & Lily DuBois; and numerous friends.

Visitation will begin on Friday, September 16, 2022, from 2:00PM-7:00PM at Grimes Bandera Funeral Chapel. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at 11:00AM at Grimes Bandera Funeral Chapel with interment to follow at Oak Rest Cemetery. Gentleman serving as Pallbearers will be Josh Bazzy, Chance Haby, David DuBois, Kevin Haby, Marcus Davis & Alex Grizzell.