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(April 2, 1921 - July 7, 2010)Juan J. Sandoval, of Powell, died July 7, 2010, at the Powell Valley Care Center. He was 89 years old.
He was born on April 2, 1921, in Hondo, Texas, to Felipe and Marina (de la Garza) Sandoval. He attended school in Hondo through the third grade, but had to stop school in order to help support his family.
In 1942, he joined the US Army and fought as a light-infantryman in World War II, remaining in the army until 1954 and eventually obtaining the rank of Master Sergeant. He returned home in 1945 long enough to marry his long-time childhood sweetheart, Ignacia Rios. They made their home in Hondo and welcomed five children into their family over the next few years.
Juan loved baseball, and was a pitcher for the Hondo Bears. After leaving the Army, he worked as a foreman for the railroad until the family moved to Wyoming in 1961.
While living in Wyoming Juan worked as a mechanic for CD&V and also worked as a hand on many of the farms in the area. He loved to garden, and he was active in the American Legion and the VFW for many years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; ex-wife, Ignacia Rios Flores; son, Marcos Sandoval; his brothers; and a sister.
He is survived by his son Juan Jose (Jackie) Sandoval Jr. of Carson City, Nev.; daughters, Martha Alma Sandoval (Robert Barber) of Sterling, Ill., Peggy Petra Sandoval of Sterling, and Rita Malone of Powell; nephews Frank Sandoval and John Henry Sandoval of Hondo; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Visitation took place Monday, followed immediately by a graveside service at Crown Hill Cemetery.
Thompson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
