Rodrigo M. Sanchez Obituary (1936

Rodrigo M. Sanchez, 79, was born March 13, 1936 in Villa Acunia Cool, Mexico to Trinidad Sanchez Ramos. On December 26, 2015, he went to his Heavenly Father. At the time of his death, the staff at Serenity Cove, in Kennewick WA, was lovingly caring for him. Rodrigo spent his childhood years in Mabton, WA and Wapato, WA. He was the oldest of five children. He spent his young years working in the fields, which he knew was an honest living, but there was a different path that the Lord steered him to. Rodrigo enlisted in the Army Reserves and National Guard in 1956, in the division of artillery, where he was honorably discharged in 1959. He later worked for the Yakima Health Department, Department of Social and Health Services and as an interpreter for the Yakima School District. Prior to retirement, he worked for Boise Cascade for nearly 20 years. Rodrigo achieved many accomplishments during his lifetime. He was President of the Mexican American Federation, where he was appointed by former Governor Dan Evans. He helped many Hispanic individuals obtain American Citizenship and college scholarships. In the early 70's, although he never played baseball as a child, he and his brother Sam coached the Moxee Knights Pee Wee baseball and won the championship that year! He was very proud of his coaching accomplishments. He was a devoted son who cared for and lived with his mother until her death in 2010. He was a loving father and grandfather who enjoyed family time, listening to music and taking road trips while listening to mixed cassette tapes and CDs he created himself. In 2011, after suffering an aneurysm and battle with dementia, he moved from Yakima to Pasco WA. He was cared for by his daughter, Lisa, and granddaughter, Crystal. He is preceded in death by his mother Trinidad, sister Anita and brother Tony. He is survived by many loved ones including his children, a brother, a sister, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews: daughters - Lisa Sanchez, Darlene Mendoza, Susan (Jim) Billings and Trina (Mike) Gonzales, all of Pasco, WA, son - Michael Risedorf of Yakima, WA, brother - Sam (Janie) Ramos of Bickleton, WA and sister - Virgina Garcia of Othello, WA. He is also survived by his special cousins: Oscar Sanchez and Joe Sanchez. Celebration of Rodrigo's life will be held Friday, January 8, 2016, 11:00 AM at Shaw & Son Funeral Home, 201 N. 2nd St., Yakima, WA. Reception to follow at St. Joseph's Catholic Church Hall, 212 N. 4th St., Yakima, WA. Memories may be shared at www.shawandsons.com.