Ricardo "Ric" Sanchez Jr.

Ricardo "Ric" Sanchez, Jr., age 74, of Lake Shore, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at his home on June 1, 2026.

Ric was born on November 17, 1951, in El Paso, Texas, to Ricardo Sanchez and Delia Garza Sanchez. He was a graduate of the Class of 1970 from El Paso High School where his passion for basketball and all sports began.

Over the next four years, he proudly served his country in the United States Navy. While stationed at Portsmouth Naval Hospital, he met his beloved wife of 52 years, Sandie. During this time, Ric started his post-secondary education at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia studying engineering. After relocating to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Texas, with his growing family, he completed two Associates degrees in Arts and Applied Science in Civil Technology & Civil Construction at Tarrant County College. He began his distinguished 42-year career with the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier and retired as a Facilities Requirement Specialist for the Dallas District.

Ric's legacy of service, faith, family, friendship, and love of collections will live on in the countless lives he touched both in Minnesota and Texas. He never met a stranger in his life. Ric greeted and welcomed everyone as if he knew you for years. He daily put his own needs aside to ensure his family was loved, supported, and cared for. Ric leaves behind a lasting legacy, having taught his children that the greatest impression you can leave on the world is the selfless love you give to those you cherish most, including all of the family dogs over the years.

Ric was a proud 3rd Degree and Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a charter member of Council 7641 in Bedford, TX and Council 15789 in Colleyville, TX. His brotherhood with his fellow knights laid the foundation for incorporating his faith and passion for sports into every aspect of his life.

He was known as the ultimate coach - not only on the sidelines but in life - always encouraging, teaching, and supporting his children, grandchildren, and all those around him. Ric had a passion for all things sports and was a devoted fan of the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks, and Dallas Stars. He cherished every game he was able to attend, cheering on his teams with his children over the years in Texas and Minnesota. Ric found a great fellowship with the Carroll Athletic Booster Club supporting his children in Dragon Football, Softball, and Swimming in Southlake, Texas.

During his retirement years, Ric and Sandie relocated to Minnesota. The family is eternally grateful for the “extra years” gifted to them when Megan Bean donated a kidney to Ric in 2016. Following the legacy that Sandie’s parents first provided to their children at the family cabin, Maryview, Ric used this extra time creating core memories at the very same cabin with both his children and grandchildren, just as Fred and Helen did. Ric found a new love for being the Captain of the family's pontoon, proudly decorated in Dallas Cowboys colors, even down to the star. He took great joy in sharing his love of music and creating playlists for any occasion.

The solidarity he fostered with his children, grandchildren and all those he encountered, will be cherished forever.

Ric is survived by his loving wife, Sandie; children, Ricky (Carrie), Melissa, Stephanie, Natalie, and Andrew; grandchildren, Kira, Myra, Caleb, Christopher, and Charlotte; mother, Delia; siblings, Ida and Ruben (Jessi); siblings-in-law Fred (Cathleen) Hauenstein, Greg (Diana Pollack) Hauenstein, Jeanne (Matt) Green, Mary (Guy Willits) Hauenstein; and many cherished nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Ric was preceded in death by his daughter, Nancy Jeanne; father, Ricardo; granddaughter, Gabriella; parents-in-law, Fred and Helen Hauenstein; siblings-in-law, Mark Hauenstein, Norma Sanchez, and Gina Hauenstein; nephew, Joshua Green; and daughter-in-law’s mother, Denise Knapschaefer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at St. Christopher's Catholic Church in Nisswa, MN. A Rosary will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by visitation at 10:00 a.m. Lunch will be served at the church following the Mass.

A livestream of the service can be found here.

The internment will be at St. Thomas of the Pines in East Gull Lake, MN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are preferred.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel of Baxter.