Isaac T. Sanchez June 20, 1927 – March 15, 2019 Share this obituary Send Flowers Sign Guestbook| Send Sympathy Card DODGE CITY – Isaac T. Sanchez born June 20th, 1927 in Dodge City, Kansas gained his wings on March 15th, 2019 in Garden City, Kansas. On June 20th, 1927, in what was known as the “Mexican Village” in Dodge City, KS, Isaac was born to Florentina and Soledad Sanchez. The Santa Fe Railroad was a vital transportation route across the country and attracted immigrants like Soledad who wanted to seek a better life and he immigrated in 1902.
In Isaac’s teenage years he took on the role as a provider for the family by working for the Santa Fe railroad when his father fell ill and his older brothers were off fighting in World War II. Soon enough he got the call to serve. He entered the Army Infantry in Fort Leavenworth, KS, in 1945.
Following basic training Isaac was shipped overseas to serve in Korea. At the end of his service in 1949, Isaac left the military with the rank of sergeant and returned home with the hopes of finishing his education and continued working for the railroad. Serving in the military was another defining event in Isaac’s life.
Serving his Country gave him a profound sense of pride and respect for all fellow veterans and instilled in him a deep sense of patriotism. He was very proud that five of the six boys in the family served our Country in the armed forces. The only brother, Frank Sanchez, that did not serve was deemed an essential war worker to the railroad which was a primary of transportation during war time.
Frank’s son, Frankie, was killed serving in Vietnam just one day before he was scheduled to come home. The family’s line of service did not stop there, Isaac was so proud of the numerous other great nephews and cousins who have served in almost every branch of the military since. After arriving back home to Dodge City, it wasn’t long however, before Isaac was in a devastating car wreck which left him paralyzed from the neck down.
With the determination and assistance of family Isaac eventually regained independence, although handicapped from the condition known as Brown-Sequard syndrome which left the right side of his body weak and with very limited movement. However, he did not let that prevent him from pursuing his education. He received an associate degree and went on to the University of Denver.
After a brief time, Isaac left his studies to go back to Dodge City and begin a property management opportunity and opened up a tavern with a nightclub upstairs. During this time Isaac met Nyla Jo Berry, married and had a daughter, Crystal. When Isaac and Nyla Jo divorced, Isaac kept custody of Crystal.
Isaac then took on his defining role as a father. In time, Isaac met Frances Sunday, married and had a daughter, Marilyn (Candy), but the marriage did not last. At a time when it was very uncommon for a man to have primary custody, Isaac proved what an extraordinary man he was.
He took on the task of being a single parent with two young daughters in the late 60s and 70s. With the help of his mother, Florentina, and sisters, Mary Padilla and Trinie Gietzen, he raised Crystal and Marilyn always trying to set a good example of giving back to the community, standing for what you believe in, never giving up, and family first. It was around this same time that Isaac also became involved in politics, it would become a lifelong passion for him.
He felt it was important to become an active advocate in community issues. Isaac attended city commission meetings, school board meetings, legislative coffees and local, state and national political campaigns. He tried to encourage citizens to exercise their voice by voting, even participating in voter registration drives.
Isaac was also involved in many other organizations. He was active in the GI Forum, serving as commander for several years. He founded the LULAC chapter in Dodge City and was actively involved in promoting leadership and higher education for Hispanics.
He was later involved in the VFW and served as Post Commander for a time in the early 90’s. He was also a member of the American Legion. Each organization gave him an outlet to be involved in politics and promote scholarship opportunities for youth.
Isaac loved his granddaughters greatly. He was always the first to offer help when it came to watching them or picking them up from school and would take every opportunity to spoil them. He enjoyed taking them around town for different activities and would introduce them as “Miss Dodge City” or his blue-eyed granddaughter.
He encouraged them to pursue higher education and would beam with pride when talking about Tiffany becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist and Brekk currently on the path to becoming a Physical Therapist. His legacy will be lived on through them. He became involved with the senior citizen lunch called Friendship meals in 1987.
He eventually served as manager for approximately 28 years. He enjoyed every person who joined them for lunch. In 2016, he stepped away from the Friendship and moved to Garden City to live with Marilyn.
In May of 2018, Isaac and Marilyn headed to Wichita, KS, to be a part of the Kansas Honor Flight; it would turn into a momentous trip. Not only was it Isaac’s very first plane ride at age 90, but more surprises were to come as Crystal and Tiffany shocked him when they joined him on the trip. The last big surprise that left him speechless was arriving outside the National Archives in Washington D.C. and seeing his great nephew David Joyal waiting to join the group.
The Kansas Honor Flight guardians were so gracious to allow us to share this once in a lifetime experience with him. The Kansas Honor Flight is an all-volunteer organization that works to honor veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam by providing them with an all-expense paid, three-day journey of honor and remembrance to their memorials in Washington, D.C. We would like to suggest memorials go to the Kansas Honor Flight, PO Box 2381 Hutchinson, KS, 67504.
Please note in the memo section that it is in honor of Isaac Sanchez. He is survived by his daughters, Crystal Flax and husband Lewis of Dodge City, and Marilyn Porter and husband Ross of Garden City. Two granddaughters, Tiffany Harrison and husband Patrick of Kansas City, and Brekk Flax of Omaha.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Alvin, Rudy, Frank, and Gavino, and six sisters, Lena, Ramona, Asuncion, Luz, Trinie and Mary. Isaac always felt blessed to have a family willing to help him over the next 70 years when he was ailing from lingering complications from his disability but it was his family that was truly blessed to have him in our lives. Even with his disability and chronic pain, he never complained.
He always smiled and embraced every day as a celebration. He was an inspiration to all of us who knew his struggle, because it made our challenges seem so small. Isaac’s family meant the world to him and he meant the world to his family.
We would like to thank all of those who helped with his care over the past 2 1/2 years. Bill Savolt and Jessica Weatherred with Wildcat PT; Dr. Booker; Carol Deleon his home health aide; the VA Primary Based Home Health team (Toni, Jeanette, Jewel and Robin); St. Dominic Catholic Church; Heartland Cancer Center; St. Catherine’s Acute Rehab Center; Plaza Pharmacy and the Finney County Mini-Bus service for helping getting us to appointments. Visitation will be on Thursday, March 21st, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N 14th Ave, Dodge City, Ks.
Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 21st, 2019, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 3231 N 14th Ave, Dodge City, KS. Funeral mass will be at 2 p.m. Friday, March 22nd, 2019, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe with Fr. Wesley Schawe presiding.
Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City, KS. SERVICES Visitation Thursday, March 21, 2019 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Ziegler Funeral Chapel 1901 N. 14th Ave. Dodge City, Kansas 67801 Get Directions on Google Maps Funeral Mass Friday, March 22, 2019 2:00 PM Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe 3231 N. 14th Ave.
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