Born on July 1, 1939, to Felipe and Petra Sanchez, Jose spent his early years in Brownsville, Texas. Later in his youth, he moved to Michigan where, after both parents passed away, he was cared for by William and Ann-Margaret House. 

Upon entering adulthood, Jose served in the United States Air Force and then attended the University of Texas, El Paso, and Central Michigan University. He would spend nearly his entire professional career as an engineer for General Motors in Flint, Michigan. 

Jose cared deeply for his family and friends, especially his granddaughter, and was passionate about the civil rights of migrant farmworkers and other marginalized communities. He was equally passionate about travel, visiting Mexico and Ireland countless times. He will be remembered for his flour tortillas and Mexican rice but most of all, his teary-eyed laughter.      

Jose was preceded in death by his wife, Francine, brother, Felipe, and sister, Anita. He is survived by his sons, Alejandro and Emiliano Sanchez, their significant others, Andrea Meewes Sanchez and Marion Fischer, his granddaughter, Talia Sanchez, his brother, Lupe (Maria) Sanchez, sister, Linda (Ken) Thomas, sister, Esther Martinez, dear friends, Rory Reynolds and family, and many others near and far. 

His ashes will be scattered alongside Francine’s in a small ceremony in Kerry County, Ireland. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, the Northwest Justice Project, or the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound.