BROWNSVILLE, TX. – Rafael P. Sanchez, 93, lifetime resident of Brownsville and beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather entered into the glory of his eternal life on Wednesday, October 21, 2020, at his residence in Brownsville, Texas, surrounded by his loving family.  

 

Rafael loved to share his many childhood memories and stories with his family. He enjoyed fishing and the outdoors, watching his favorite sports teams the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Astros play, and traveled often to visit family in Las Vegas. While there, he ventured the many casinos of the “Gambling Capital of the World” and tested his luck at the slots and poker tables all in good fun. Rafael was also very tech-savvy and ensured to pass that onto his grandchildren. He always had “Alexa”, his digital assistant, programmed and ready on standby. He also found ingenious ways to record and edit out the annoying commercials from the soap operas he liked to watch. To the very end, he exhibited his strong willpower to make the best of life and his perfectionist mindset.

 

Rafael was preceded in death his loving wife of 66 years, Ninfa E. Sanchez; his parents, Jose Sanchez and Francisca Mendez; a grandson, Walter Cain III; and by his brother, Jose P. Sanchez (Rosa), and sister, Guadalupe Canul.

 

Left behind to eternally treasure their memories of Rafael are his children: Rafael (Blanca) Sanchez, Jr., Jorge (Susana) Sanchez, Sylvia (Fernando) Gonzalez, Gerardo Sanchez, Dora (Walter) Cain, Charlie (Elizabeth) Sanchez, Norma Sanchez, Gustavo (Griselda) Sanchez, and Edgar (Maria) Sanchez; 24 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. Rafael will also be missed by his canine best friend, Tiny the Chihuahua. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

 

Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2020, and continue through 7:00 p.m. with the recitation of the holy rosary scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Friday evening in the East Chapel at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home. Visitation will resume at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2020, with the Funeral Service scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Committal services will follow at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens.

 

Rafael's grandsons: Rafael Sanchez III, Eric Sanchez, Armando Castillo, Jr., Fernando Gonzalez, James Sanchez, and Juan Carlos Sanchez are honored to be serving as his pallbearers.

 

Memories of Rafael may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

 

Personalized funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.