Fidel Sandoval

Fidel Raymond Sandoval, age 72, a resident of Espanola New Mexico, passed away peacefully on Sunday August 23, 2020. Known by most as Raymond or Sandy, he was born on December 22, 1947 in Embudo, NM and grew up in Kemmerer Wyoming and Penasco New Mexico. Raymond graduated from Penasco High School in 1966 and was immediately drafted into the Army to serve in the Vietnam War.  He returned in 1969 and met his wife to be, Rita Martinez, in Chama New Mexico.

Raymond and Rita celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 30th 2020. They lived in Los Alamos New Mexico for a time and settled in Espanola New Mexico. Raymond was a commissioned officer in the Army National Guard and a First Lieutenant for the ProForce SWAT team at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Raymond also spent time working as a cross-country truck driver, a logger, a car salesman and eventually retired from the United States Postal Service. He and Rita loved to take road trips and visited friends and family all over the US. Raymond had the opportunity to visit all 50 of the United States. Raymond also had a passion for cars, mostly fast cars, and owned over 100 different vehicles.

Raymond is preceded in death by his infant son Felix Sandoval, and his parents Jose Felix Sandoval and Lorraine Sandoval. Raymond is survived by his wife Rita Sandoval, his three children Felix Rodney Sandoval, Tanya Rae Shelvock and her husband Brandon, and Spring Roybal and her partner Frank Martinez, his five grandchildren Alicia, Trinity, Raymond James (RJ), Desi-Rae, and Ashley, his great-grandson Emiliano, his siblings Marie Romero and her husband Isaac, Yolanda Trujillo and her husband Henry, Eric Sandoval and his wife Joyce, and Timmy Sandoval and also many nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday September 4th at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Espanola New Mexico following COVID-19 safety guidelines (only 75 attendees, temperature checks, first come first serve). Serving as honorary pallbearers are Rick Ryan, Wayne Tubaugh, Henry Martinez, Ron Nesland, Larry Lienhardt, Dayna Sandoval, Alicia Sandoval, Desi-Rae Roybal, Ashley Rosas, Trinity Shelvock, and RJ Shelvock. The family would like to say thanks to all who visited and shared thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

The mass will be recorded and broadcast at the following locations for those who may not be able to attend in person

96.7 FM in Northern New Mexico

Website

https://saintmanyanetradio.com

Facebook

https://www.alpha.facebook.com/santacruz.espanola

The Family of Fidel R Sandoval has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home of the Espanola Valley. 5057477477 www.devargasfuneral.com