Sfc Faustino Sanchez, Us Army, Ret.

Faustino Cruz Sanchez (Tino), age 78, of Copperas Cove, Texas passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2020, around family and friends. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at Holy Family Catholic Church with burial following at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. Visitation will be from 5-6:30 PM with a Rosary at 6:30 PM on Monday at Scott’s Funeral Home of Copperas Cove.

Tino was born in Lockhart, Texas on January 28, 1942, to the late Cruz and Margarita Rios Sanchez. Tino graduated from Tech High School and then joined the United States Army in 1960. He married his high school sweetheart, Oralia Hernandez, in San Antonio, Texas on August 4, 1962.

After 20 years of military service, SFC Sanchez was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal Clasp, Silver One Loop, Marksman (Rifle, and the Expert (Carbine). He also received the Meritorious Service Certificate after 10 years of service for the Texas Department of Public Safety as a Driver’s License Examiner. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and a former member of Knights of Columbus, Marriage Encounter, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, Catholic Youth Ministry, Diocese of Austin Cursillo, and a Catechist.

Tino is survived by his wife of 57 years, Oralia Sanchez; and their four children, Geneva Abdelioua, Sonja Riley and her husband, Tim Riley, Monica Schwab and her husband, Richard Schwab, Faustino Sanchez II as well as seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society, 1001 Georgetown Road, Copperas Cove, TX 76522.