Armando Sanchez

ARMANDO SANCHEZ

MCALLEN- Armando Sanchez, 63, passed away Friday, February 17, 2012, at Edinburg Regional Medical Center with many family members at his side. He was born in Monte Escobedo, Zacatecas, Mexico on November 8, 1948.

Mr. Sanchez, along with his nine siblings, was taught to play several musical instruments by his musician father from a very early age, and by the time he was 8 years old he left homee and joined a travelling carnival, playing trumpet with their musical group and travelling extensively throughout Mexico. In the span of his musical career, he played with numerous Mariachi groups in Mexico, meeting and playing for/ with many famous Mexican artists, amongst them Juan Gabriel, Emilio Rivera, Marta Leticia, Jorge Infante, Miguel Aceves Mejia, Vicente Fernandez, Piporro, Lucha Villa, Luz Zarate, Jose Jose, La Priete Linda, Alicia Bravo, Resortes, Mercedes & Lupita Castro, Yolanda del Rio, Luciana and Fernando Rios. Armando appeared in the Mexican movie named La Coralillo, in which he appeared as part of the Mariachi group that played in the film. He formed his own Mariachi group himself in the Rio Grande Valley in the 1970's, named Mariachi Tapatio. Additionally, as a musician he also traveled extensively throughout the State of Texas, playing trumpet with numerous Mariachi groups. He retired in 2008 and moved back to the Rio Grande Valley from Dallas where he lived for 22 years. Most recently he was an active volunteer guitar playing member of The Golden Larks, a musical seniors group at the Lark Community Center in McAllen.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Beatriz Imelda (Flores) Sanchez; his children, Armando Guadalupe Sanchez, Daniel Sanchez, Gema Michelle Sanchez (Erik Martinez) all from Edinburg and Guadalupe Patricia Sanchez Leal from Matamoros, Mexico. He is survived by 9 grandchildren.

Surviving siblings include Graciela Velasquez (Pedro) from Monte Escobedo, Zacatecas, Mexico; Jesus Sanchez (Maria) from Houston; Ignacio Sanchez (Rocio) from Monte Escobedo, Zacatexas, Mexico; Guadalupe Guerrero (Juan) From Monteveo, California; Gudelia Sanchez from Monte Escobedo, Zacatecas, Mexico; Jaime Sanchez (Irma) from Burbank, California; Mario Sanchez (Amalia) from Monte Escobedo, Zacatecas, Mexico, and Guillermo Sanchez from Sylmar, Califonia.

Armando Sanchez was preceded in death by his parents, J. Guadalupe Sanchez and Maria de la Luz (Juarez) Sanchez who resided in Monte Escobedo, Zacatecas, Mexico. He was also preceded in death by a son Mario Sanchez Leal who lived in Matamoros, Mexico, and a brother Natividad Sanchez from Monte Escobedo, Zacatecas, Mexico.

Pallbearers will be his sons, Armando Guadalupe Sanchez and Daniel Sanchez; his brother, Jaime Sanchez; his brothers-in-law, Pedro Velasquez and Eleazar "Charlie" Flores Jr.; and his son-in -law, Erick Martinez.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary today, February 19, 2012, at Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at, 11 a.m. Monday, February 20, 2012, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church 2201 Martin Street in McAllen. A private Cremation will follow.

A Mariachi group being organized just for this solemn occasion by his brother Jesus Sanchez and made up of both his brothers Jesus & Mario Sanchez and other life mariachi friends of Armando, will play their music at both the rosary service and funeral mass to honor their departed Mariachi companion and friend.

Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg, TX.