Armando “Ditto” Sanchez, 56, formerly of Waco, passed away on the morning of July 17, 2017 in California while on assignment with Lockheed Martin.
Services: A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 7, 2017 at St. Louis Catholic Church with the Rev. John Guzaldo officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.
Armando was born on December 16, 1960 to Felipe Sanchez Jr. and Rebecca Nino Sanchez in Waco, TX. He was known to all of his family, close friends and those who loved him as “Ditto”, an affectionate name given to him by his parents as a baby.
He attended St. Louis Elementary and went on to attend Reicher Catholic High School where he graduated in 1979. Armando was involved in sports while at Reicher High School where he played on the football team and a member of the varsity High School baseball team. Armando was very competitive having grown up in a family of five siblings with three brothers and one sister he was always thinking of his family and how to win at life.
Armando joined the Air Force, to serve his country, on June 23, 1980 where he began his career in logistics and was promptly assigned to a Strategic Air Command unit in Shemya AF Base in Shemya Island, the Aleutians (now known as Eareckson Air Station) “The Rock” named by those who served on the two mile by four mile piece of US soil. He was transferred to Osan Air Base in Republic of Korea where he became a logistics member of the 8th Fighter Wing known as the “Wolfpack” and while in Korea studied martial arts and became a Black Belt in Kuk Sool Won. Armando transferred to Europe where he served for several years before exiting the Air Force with an Honorable Discharge at the rank of Staff Sargent. Armando enjoyed his time in the Air Force where he was able to travel the world and share with his family of his travels and accomplishments.
After the Air Force Armando used his skills in project management and logistics to work for several large military contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopter, DynCorp in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and was with Lockheed Martin on assignment in California at the time of his passing.
Armando is preceded in death by his nephew Evan George Sanchez, and his grandparents.
He is survived by his parents Felipe Sanchez Jr. and Rebecca Nino Sanchez of Waco; Brother Phil Sanchez III and Sister-in-Law Jeanie Mulligan Sanchez; their children Philip, Mari, and Andrew of Frisco, TX; Brother Tony Sanchez and Sister-in-Law Laura Stephenson Sanchez and their son Luke of Waco; Brother Stephen Sanchez and his sons Justin, Ty, and Stephen Jr. of Waco; and Sister Carmen Sanchez Pollard and Brother–in-Law Gary Pollard of Whittier California.
Contact Information:
Lake Shore Funeral Home & Cremation Services
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my condolences and prayers for your family
Sending my condolences and prayers to your family. I had not been in touch with Ditto since graduating from Reicher. We did happen by chance to meet online on social media. We once again began to rekindle our friendship from many years ago. We shared a few memories and love of the Dallas Cowboys. I am very sadden to hear of his passing. Once again, I will continue to keep your family in my prayers. R.I.H. ” Ditto”