Daniel Sandoval, Long-Time Forumeer Passed Away May  21, 2014 

Daniel Sandoval, long-time resident of Pueblo, Colorado, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2014, surrounded by love ones who helped ease his way into God’s heaven. He was 84. Devoted husband of 67 years to his childhood sweetheart, Maria Viola Sanchez Sandoval.

"Today is a sad day, we lost one longtime time friend and brother Mr Daniel  Sandoval. . . " –Natonal Commander Luis Vazquez Contes.

Cherished father of Diane Sanchez (deceased; Richard); Barbara Terrazas (Alfredo) and Emma Jayne Sandoval. Adored Grandfather of Rick and Sacha Sanchez; Heather Renee Sandoval and Alicia Terrazas-Fleming. Beloved great-grandfather of Jonathan Sanchez (Veronica Olivas); Nika Sanchez; Darion and Zarek Sanchez; Daniel and Breyanna Sandoval; Tatiana Andrews, Kyleigh Richardson; Dominic Fleming and D’Layni and Deion’dre Jones.

Born in La Junta on January 25, 1930 to Benjamin and Juanita Montano Sandoval, Daniel was the second child and first son among 14 siblings. He was pre-deceased by Emilia, Wilfredo, Bensito, William (Jimmy), Conrad Patricio and Mary Gertrude. He is survived by siblings Pablo, Joseph (Bernie), Maria Teresa, Betty Jean, Rebecca, Veronica and Johnny. 



Known as Dan to all, he was an avid advocate for equal rights for Latinos, especially those who had served in our country’s armed services.

Dan attended Keating Middle School where he met the love of his life, Viola, before they both went on to Central High School. Thereafter, at the early age of 17, they wed and started their family. Dan studied hard and won acceptance into an electrical engineering program in the Navy where he trained in Chicago, Illinois. Upon graduation, Dan progressed into ever-increasing responsibilities and led teams of engineers specializing in state-of-the-art weapons calibrations deployed at bases all over the world, including Panama, Cuba, San Francisco and Hawaii. His service both as a military-man and later as a civilian contractor spanned both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, always trusted with top military clearances.

During his multiple engagements he calibrated early and later models of the Minuteman and Nike-Ajax missile systems, including on board Navy vessels where he had to be airlifted onto ships during violent storms and inclement weather.

After his separation from the military, Dan had civilian appointments with the Department of Housing and Urban Development as well as with the Social Security Administration. And, while in these engagements, Dan sought-out and mentored college students who used internships with Dan as stepping-stones for admission to premier universities, including the University of California at Berkeley.

Dan stayed active in civic service in retirement by continuing his long-time affiliation with groups such as the American G.I. Forum, LULAC, SER and MAPA. Dan co-founded an American G.I. Forum chapter is San Leandro, California and in retirement went on to assume a leadership role with the American G.I. Forum Chapter in Pueblo where he rose to the rank of State Commander in 1999 and later as Interim Executive Director of the National G.I. Forum office.

Family and friends are invite you to the Rosary tonight at the Shrine of Saint Therese Catholic Church located at 300 Goodnight Ave., Pueble CO. A service with Military Honors is scheduled for next Tuesday prior to interment directly following the Mass at Imperial Funeral Home at 5450 Hwy 78, Pueblo, Co, 81005.



The family wishes to thank the dedicated staff at the Pueblo Offices of the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center as well as the Joni Fair Hospice House for their selfness care and support during Dan’s final days.