Francisco "Manito" Sandoval

FRANCISCO “MANITO” SANDOVAL ALAMO — Francisco “Manito” Sandoval, 94, died Tuesday, June 3, 2014, at his residence in Alamo. He was born in Lyford, Texas and had lived in Alamo most of his life. Francisco was a devoted business man and beloved brother, father and friend. He was known in the community as the owner of Sandoval's Used Cars. Even though he only had a limited education and was orphaned at a young age, he was not scared of hard work and was very savvy when it came to business. He started off shining shoes during the Great Depression. His entrepreneurial instincts led him to eventually sell insurance where he received many accolades. He then started his own businesses such as Sandoval's Gulf Service Station and then Sandoval’s Used Cars to name a few. He also spent some time as a public servant as a city Commissioner and as a Police Officer in Alamo. Many people will remember Francisco, Frank, “Pancho” or “Manito” as a quick witted business man with a lot to say. His family and friends will surely miss his stories. Mr. Sandoval is preceded in death by his parents, Maria and Dionicio Sandoval. Francisco is survived by his wife Guadalupe Sandoval of Alamo; four children, Francisco Sandoval, Jr. of Tyler, Mateo Sandoval of Harlingen, Olvia Valladares of McAllen and Gonzalo Sandoval of Corpus Christi; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister, Lola Vargas of Weslaco; and a brother, Mateo Sandoval of Pharr. Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary today, June 5, 2014, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, June 6, 2014, at Resurrection Catholic Church in Alamo. Interment will follow at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr. Military honors will be conducted by Sgt. Benito Alanis VFW Post 7473 of Elsa. Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.