Rev. Ernest Sanchez Sr., 65, of Waco, was called to God’s eternal kingdom July 2, 2018.
Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Calvary Chapel Church, 702 N. 18th St., in Waco with Pastor Albert Fuentes officiating.
Born February 10, 1953 to Jose F. Sanchez and Jesusa Sanchez. Ernest was a beloved son, husband, father, brother, uncle, coach and mentor. Most importantly he lived a life of love and devotion to his savior, Jesus Christ, always putting his faith first.
Ernest spent many years spreading the word of God in various ways; He served as a deacon at Primera Iglesia Bautista in Waco as well as Primera Baptist of Edinburg. When he moved back to Waco he became the pastor of two mission churches, Mission de el Buen Pastor as well as Prince de Paz. He fervently preached the love of God and salvation through Christ to hundreds of people throughout his years of service. When he felt the Lord tell him that it was time to retire he became a faith member of Calvary Chapel in Waco.
Ernest was an educator and coach for 30 years, teaching and coaching at La Vega High School and Edinburg High School, but the majority of his years as an educator were spent at Connally High School in Waco. During his years as an educator and coach he touched many lives, he taught lessons that not only applied in the classroom or on the field but lessons on the way to live with respect, ambition, and accountability.
Ernest was devoted to his family. He was a son that was dedicated to his mother after his father’s passing, a counselor and confidant to his brothers and sisters, and a father figure to his nieces and nephews. His greatest joy began in 1990 when he married the love of his life, Annette. The couple was blessed with 3 children, Laura, Ernest Jr., and Isaac who were Ernest’s pride and joy. His wife and children will carry on his incredible legacy of compassion, kindness, and service to Christ.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Jose; and two sisters, Santos and Irene.
Ernest is survived by his wife, Annette; their children, Laura, Ernest Jr., and Isaac; brothers, Raymond, Manuel, and David Sanchez; sisters, Dolores Mena and Linda Sanchez; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Annette, Laura, Ernest Jr., Isaac, and the entire Sanchez Family would like to extend special thanks to Providence Hospice for their devoted care and loving support.
Print Obituary & Condolences
My deepest sympathies to your family and may you eternally rest in peace Coach Sanchez. CHS, Class of 1988
Condolences to the Sanchez families, I hold you in my prayers, I knew Ernie for a short while and grew to love him as my brother in law. . Manuel I embrace you and am with you at every moment,Linda I love you and i know the pain you all are going thru. ERNIE is now in a place free of pain. And reunited with his parents and our HEAVENLY Father that welcomed him with open arms. Rest in peace Ernie.
Mercedes
This man not only taught me the value of a good “bull rush,” but he also showed me the compassion of a mentor! I hate that I was not there to send a solid goodbye. However, I know he knew what he meant to me as a person. He always had great advice and a stearn correction when needed. I was proud to be able to keep him “busy” as one of my partners at HEB after he retired. I always told him I could never repay him for the years of guidance. Coach Sanchez will surely be missed by me and many more!
I had not seen Ernie in a long time since our move up to NY. It saddens me that such a great man has been taken from us but I am one of the lucky ones to say that this man had a huge impact in my life. I will always remember him from Bellmead 1st Baptist with all of the things we worked on together….some VBS’s, the youth and athletic growth……the Live Nativity and so much more. God Bless him for everything he had done and my prayers go out to the entire family during this tough time.
Am. Very sorry for ur loss
He was a amazing man he was loving caring person.
He was also a faithful man he was a blessing to alot of
People including to Mrs Peggy and Adam , kellie
We love u Mr. Sanchez and we will deeply miss u . I see u on the other side called Heaven .
RIP Coach. Condolences to the family.
My condolence to family r i. P rev ernest sanchez sr.
My deepest sympathies to the family cousin Ernie was a good man. It had been a while since I hadlast seen him. But when I moved to the South WACO area I started seeing him at HEB and always with a smile you will be missed cousin love y’all
RIP Coach! So sorry for everyone’s loss.
Coach. I will always remember you and the lessons you taught all of us. You were a very good man. I was honored to have known you as a teacher and a friend.
Ernie and I coached against one another many times, as I was the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Robinson High School and the Rockets and Cadets had epic gridiron contests over the years. But we respected and loved one another; he was always one of my favorite coaches in the Central Texas area. I am saddened by his passing and offer my sympathy to his family. He was a great friend and a great coach.
Praying for your family! You will truly be missed! Definitely definition of a God fearing man. Taught us all respect and life lessons.
Rest in Heaven Coach Sanchez. You were an awesome person. Watch over your family from up above.
So very sorry for your loss. I knew Ernie when he was a little boy, we were neighbors , when his family lived in north sixth street. He taught my son Chris in Connolly high school. My prayers for his family.
Coach Sanchez was a wonderful teacher, mentor, role model, and friends to so many. He touched many lives, in a lot of special ways. We are praying for your family during this difficult time.
Bill Gregory
Susan Cook
I am so sorry to see this. I’ve known him for many years. We started coaching and our educational careers about the same time. I just know he’s in a better place. Again, I’m so sorry!
Sorry for loss prayers
You will be missed coach sanchez
Annette and family, I was was so sorry to hear about the loss of Mr. Earnest. I worked with him at HEB
and I always considered him a good person and friend. You and your family are in my prayers.
Arlene Hall
I taught with Ernest at Connelly H.S. He was a fine Christian man and will be missed. Condolences to his wife and family.
I am terribly sorry for your loss. Coach was a terrific man of whom I have many fond memories that I cherish.
Our world as we know it has lost a good man, good friend and coach to generations of families. God be with his family at this time…. Earnie you will be forever in our hearts.
The Millers, Charles, Cam, Mark & Leigh
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. My boys always spoke fondly of Coach and I have fond memories of our times together at Connally.
Hi Annette, My Condolence to your family!! May he Rest In Peace. From the Branham’s Family in California… Love you!! Delores Ordonez.
Coach was way more than a coach. He was used by God to keep my life on track. He sure went above and beyond what he was expected to do.
Peace in Christ – Eddie Scheler
My condolences and prayers for your family. I remember Coach Sanchez fondly from my years at Connally High.
The Filoteo Family ,Blanche, Joe and Ruth grew up with our dear friend Ernie at Primera Iglesia Bautista , where we all began to build our foundation and our relationship with our God. Ernie became a Bright Light that shined on those he encountered in his life . He took on the Great Commission and many were blessed because of it. Our family extends our condolence to his family, but because we believe in God we know we will see Ernie in a better place already prepared for us.
Resting in His care.
Aunt Annette, Laura, Ernie, and Isaac,
We love you and we are here for you if there is anything that you need.
Joseph & I are sad for Ernest’s family as they say their farewells to him. But we are over joyed for Ernest as he is in no more pain and definitely in the presents of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, walking the streets of GOLD and seeing first hand his Mansion as promised in Revelations. “Well done good and faithful servant!”
Our sincere condolences and prayers go out to Annette and children and the rest of the Sanchez family in the loss of our Beloved Brother in Christ Ernest “Ernie” Sanchez. We both started our coaching careers together at Waco Connally in 1979 . We were childhood friends growing up in our home church Primera Iglesias Bautista de Waco on north 4th street. We will always remember his devotion to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Family, and Friends. Thank you Ernie for being an inspiration and Brother in Christ to all who knew you. Joe Filoteo, Jr. & Family.
We send our condolences to the Sanchez family. He was a wonderful person. Glad we got to spend time with him before he passed to be with the lord.
Condolences to the Sanchez family. I also have a connection with Ernie from Primera Iglesia Bautista of Waco. Memories of youth activities and church services there are very special to me. I’m so impressed with the Christian life Ernie led and the positive influence that had on the students and adults he encountered during his life. Ernie ran the good race. Well done! He was certainly a good a faithful servant to his Lord.
My sincerest condolences and prayers to Annette and Family in your time of sorrow. Ernest “Ernie” was my mentor, my colleague, my friend and of all a father figure to me. Our years coaching in Edinburg together were truly a blessing for me, your impact on and off the field have been inspirational throughout my life. God Bless You All, My Deepest Sympathy. Coach Anthony Limón
My sincere condolences go out to Annette and family . Ernie was a good friend, mentor and more so an overall inspiration to all he came in contact with. We shared good times and tough times in Edinburg but he always persevered, his faith in the Lord and the will to help young people kept him going. Ernie you will be missed and I hope you rest in eternal peace , god bless.
Coach Lonnie Garza
” You do not fall in love , you grow in love” , Coach Sanchez… The greatest lesson he ever taught, in health class! You will be dearly missed Coach!
My condolences and prayers go out Annette and the entire family. Coach Sanchez was a great coach, friend, mentor and leader of men. We learned a lot about coaching and life from him. We were blessed to have you in our lives. He inspired the best in people. His strength was his faith!! RIP , Coach Ernie Sanchez , you will be missed but not forgotten. Love you!! Bobcat Pride !! Coach Oscar Salinas
So very sorry for your loss Coach Sanchez was a great man a great coach and a great friend . Hebrought the best out in me and I will forever be grateful for his guidance! May god bless you all Coach Sanchez will be very missed .
There are certain people in life that truly make a difference . I was a student and football player back in the early 1990’s under coach Sanchez. It was an honor learning from you Coach . Often after high school I would wonder where and how my former coaches were doing . Thanks Coach for making a difference in my life . Till we meet again . My prayers are with your family .
I want to send my condolences to coaches family and friends. He was a great man and will be missed by all. Rest In Peace Coach Sanchez.
My condolences to the Sanchez family… you will be missed coach….EHS class of ’94
I had the honor of knowing Ernest, his Mom, and siblings first in the mid 80s as their insurance agent. He was always there for his family. Ernest was a good man. May he rest in peace.
I have many fond memories of Coach Sanchez during my time as a student-athlete in the Connally ISD. He had an awesome sense of humor. a he was the first baseball coach I had that actually took the time to teach me how to pitch. I also learned many disciplines from him as well. Rest In Peace Coach Sanchez.
You have my deepest condolences on the loss of Mr. Sanchez. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him!!! May he RIP…
My thoughts and prayers are with coach Sanchez’s family. Coach Sanchez was more than someone who taught you how to play a game, he was a great role model who put his students first. He kept me on track during a very difficult time in my life. He was an amazing man as well as a great coach. He will be greatly missed. RIP coach. Heaven has gained a great man.
Rest in paradise Coach Sanchez you were not just a great educator but a great coach, supporter, pastor, and mentor. Our heaven has gained such an an amazing angel we were all so blessed myself most defuneyly included to have had you bless us in our life. Thank you for everything you have taught us all you have guided us through. My heart and prayers are with the family in this time…..
One of the best Men I have ever known. Hard working, always available for whatever needed to be done. Always giving to Others, especially his time and his self. He will be greatly missed. I was lucky enough to have known Ernie for 39 years. I still remember the day Ernest and Joe came to me at Coaching School looking for a Job. We have lost a truly Great Man.
Chuck Mills
I thank God for the life of Ernest Sanchez. A man who was kind, humble, courteous, and of unwavering faith. I remember his love and kindness for my family, especially for his love and prayers for my Dad. God bless his family . May he rest in peace and receive his reward in Heaven. A good and faithful servant of the Lord.
R.I.P. COACH SANCHEZ! You we’re always there for me. Prayers to all.
RIP Coach Sanchez. You were one of a kind and will be missed by so many . Prayers to all knew and admired him. CHS class of ‘84
I would like to leave my condolence to the Sanchez family. I will dearly miss Coach Sanchez. He was one of my favorite coaches at Connally High school and I use to see Him at Heb on 19th where he worked. May his soul rest in peace with our heavenly father and prayers be with the family. Forgive me for not being able to attend the service.