Michael A. Sanchez joined his Lord and Savior and numerous loved ones on May 15, 2021. Mike was born October 14, 1929, to Anna Pearl Collins Farmer and Miguel Sanchez in Palestine, Texas. When he was 6, his family moved to Mexico City to join extended family to escape the financial devastation of the Great Depression. When he was 9, he moved to Grapeland, Texas, where he was raised by his beloved grandparents, James and Florence Collins (otherwise known as Mama and Papa). He was raised on their beautiful farm, along with his sister and cousins. He worked hard on the farm and enjoyed the freedom of hunting with his cousin and childhood friend. He graduated Grapeland High School at the age of 17.

He went to college for two years at Sam Houston State University, where he was first exposed to classical music and opera after listening to a scratchy recording on the radio one Friday night while studying. This began a deep love of classical music, especially the great Operas. After two years at Sam Houston State, he transferred to Baylor University.

He was drafted into the Korean War and served two years in the Army. When he returned, he sought work in the booming oil and gas industry. In 1958, he met “the best looking red-headed woman ever” at a hospital where she worked as a nurse. On March 6, 1959, he married Elizabeth Williams (Bette), the love of his life. They were married 52 years (to Bette’s death) and had three children.

Mike retired from Phillips Petroleum in 1985. He and Bette moved to Katy in 1997 to be closer to their daughters. In 2019, Mike moved to Bellville to The Arbors at Briarwood, to assisted living.

Our dad will forever be remembered for his masterful storytelling. As a family, we would sit out under the stars at night and he would fill our imaginations with stories from his boyhood days of hunting and working the farm and riding his horse, Nellie, with his dog, Pooch. Wherever Dad lived, he planted trees and had a garden. Dad also instilled in each of us a great love of classical music. We listened to hours upon hours of classical music and knew the great operas, symphonies, and composers from an early age. He worked hard, could fix anything, and loved our mother deeply.

Dad was preceded in death by his parents, Anna Pearl Farmer and Miguel Sanchez; his stepfather, Dr. Farmer; his wife, Elizabeth Williams Sanchez; and his sister, Dolores Harpold.

He is survived by his son, Mike Sanchez and his wife Dorothea; daughter, Susan Sanchez-Hatchett and husband Bill; daughter Leah Sanchez Cessna and husband David. His grandchildren are Michael Sanchez, Christina Sanchez, Joshua Noble and wife Kristi; Michela Noble Waldner and husband Cameron; Paul Cessna, Reed Cessna; Jared Hatchett and his wife Amy, and Joshua Hatchett; six great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and a niece.

The family holds the deepest gratitude for the staff at The Arbors of Briarwood for loving him, caring for him, and being at his side to the very end.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE: 10:00 A.M., Sunday, July 11, 2021, Emery’s Buffalo Creek Winery, Bellville, Texas.

FRIENDS WHO WISH MAY MAKE MEMORIAL GIFTS TO Shriner’s Hospital for Children Processing Center, PO Box 863765, Orlando, Florida 32886 or to the Houston Grand Opera, Customer Care Center, 510 Preston, Houston, Texas 77002.

Arrangements under the direction of Schmidt Funeral Home, P.O. Box 610, 12029 Hwy. 36 South, Bellville, Texas 77418 – (979)865-2424 – www.schmidtfunerals.com.