Mario Augustine Sanchez 43, Del Norte, Colorado,
passed away September 29, 2021. He was born August 3, 1978,
to Nicholas and Ada Sanchez in La Jara Colorado.
Mario is survived by his mother Ada Sanchez (Del Norte,
CO), wife Rachel S. (Del Norte, CO), brother Nickie
Sanchez (Center, CO), son Brandon Sanchez (Monte Vista,
CO), step kids/friends Danielle (Henry) Martinez (Monte
Vista), Larissa (Cisco) Aguilar (Del Norte), Jasmine Salazar
Espinoza (Monte Vista), Josiah (Stella)Salazar Espinoza
(Alamosa), Jesse, Naomi, and Yakira Salazar Espinoza (Del
Norte), grandson Aiden Sanchez (Monte Vista), and nine step
grandkids, Niece Benisha (Ross)Montano and kids Athina and
Ross, (Center, CO), Jericka Sanchez and kids Melanny, Alberto,
Kelsie, and Rose (Southfork, CO), and many aunts and uncles
and cousins.
He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Rev.
Mike and Sarah Salazar, paternal grandparents Esau and Mary
Sanchez, maternal uncle Steve (Donna) Salazar and maternal
aunt Sarah Salazar, paternal uncles Albert Sanchez and Saqueo
Sanchez, paternal aunts Ernistine Bueno, Hazel Espinoza, Alice
Alire and Charlotte Marquez, Cousin Timmy Sanchez.
Mario (also known as Listo to many of his friends who knew
him, and manos to some) was the kind of guy that would
literally give the shirt off his back and give it to someone in
need. He was always giving things to people and cared about
those down on their luck. He could be tough but at the same time
be a big teddy bear. His lady called him her gansta teddy bear. He
was not afraid to live life in the fast lane sometimes and kept his
family wondering what he might do next. He could go up to a
complete stranger and make friends instantly. He was a natural
leader and many people looked up to him and followed his lead.
He enjoyed spending time with friends, doing stuff with his lady
and step kids, but also liked solitude and his time alone to do little
projects or watch tv or just relax and think, or listen to music and
sing. (Many special times singing with or to his lady) He was good
with kids and was a kid at heart. He was never one to hold a
grudge and forgave people who wronged him. Many of his best
friends started out as people he had confrontations with and then
they worked things out. He was also a good writer and could
express himself well with words and wrote many poems over the
years. He loved God and was not ashamed to talk to people
about him. He was quick to pray for others, and his prayers
blessed many people. He even led Bible studies in jail.
Before God called him home, he had aspired to be a pastor and
had dreams of ministering on the streets and in prisons as well.
He had planned to become a pastor through the Victory
Outreach Ministries and had a lot of respect for them. He had
dreams of reaching many people for the kingdom of God. He had
a huge impact on all who crossed his paths and was loved by his
friends. He liked to fish with family, loved the sport of boxing and
was a huge fan of Mike Tyson. He was an excellent barber and
gave many haircuts and never charged what they were worth. He
will be greatly missed but his memory will live on in our hearts and
minds. Two of his favorite scriptures are Jeremiah 29:11. For I
know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper
you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Isaiah 45:2-3 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places
straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder
the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness,
and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I,
the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. He
liked this last scripture because making crooked things straight is
like fixing things that are wrong in our life, breaking and cutting
bars and gates in pieces are like breaking the bondages that hold
us down and imprison us, and freedom from them, and hidden
riches and treasures of darkness is like bringing out the beauty
and all the good things to those that are freed from them
bondages and God making something beautiful out of the mess.
And he calls us by name, is calling us God's sons and daughters.
This whole verse is about freedom, restoration, and change.
There will be a Celebration of Life Saturday, October 16, 2021
at 11:00 am, at the Pioneer United Church 630 Spruce Street Del Norte, CO.
Please park in front only.
Funeral arrangements being overseen by Strohmayer’s Funeral home In Monte Vista, CO.
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