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Staff Sergeant Joshua Jean the “Hulk” Sanchez passed away on June 25, 2016 doing what he loved most, riding his motorcycle. He lived for the sun beating down on him and an open road in front of him. We will miss his happy disposition, his loving, caring, compassionate nature and his forever smile. He had the biggest zest for life which he shared with all whom he met. He was an amazing young man taken way too soon.
Joshua was born on September 14, 1983 to Andrea Yarbrough and Jacob Sanchez III. He grew up in California and Michigan and joined the Marine Corps in 2004. Staff Sergeant Sanchez served 2 tours in Iraq (March 2005 – October 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 4-6 and August 2006 – May 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 5-7) and returned to the states safely, stationed at Camp Lejeune most recently where he was a Maintenance Management Chief after being a Marine Combat Instructor for 3 years. He achieved many awards (see below) and was also a Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival (MCIWS), a course which was so difficult he almost quit, BUT Joshua being who he was, he of course, successfully passed. He played for the Marine Corps rugby team and was a Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor. His family and friends were very proud of him.
Joshua joined the Iron Rockets motorcycle club in 2014. He loved the club and what the brotherhood stood for. He was a member of the Cross Road Crew out of Jacksonville, North Carolina. During his time with the club he traveled all over the East Coast to participate in charity rides which he did on a monthly basis. He helped to raise money and donated his own money for Breast Cancer Awareness, the Boys & Girls Club of America, ALS, and raising awareness on veteran suicide to name a few. He was the epitome of what it was to be a brother in this club. He would always drop what he was doing to help a brother in need.
Joshua Jean Sanchez, handsome, amazing, loving son, grandson, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, friend is survived by his mother Andrea Yarbrough, father Jacob Sanchez III, step-father Paul Grathoff, grandmother Arcadia Sanchez, sisters Mistie Rautio, Emmy Sanchez, Sally Sanchez, niece Viviana Mora, aunts and uncles Kim Koontz, Julie Yarbrough Van De Lann, Michael Keldermen, Suzette Sanchez, Annette Sanchez, Michael Sanchez, Johnny Stone, Elena Gomez, Lanaya Santoyo , cousins Fernando Maldonado, Raquel Holbert, Carol Koontz, Sarah Sierra, Michele Stetz, Evan Van De Lann, Melissa Jurado and many more nieces and nephews, family and friends all whom loved him very much.
He will be forever in our hearts.
Visitation will be held on Saturday July 16, 2016 from 1-5:30 pm, open Mic/memory sharing 5:30-6:30pm,
Military Honors will be conducted at 6:30pm at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral home (26090 Pine St, Calumet, MI 49913 PH: 906.337.4600)
A dinner will be served at 7:00 PM in the Siskiwit Reception Hall 26070 Pine St. Calumet, MI 49913 (Next door to the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home)
Online condolences can be left for the family at www.ericksoncrowleypeteson.com
Awards
Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
Marine Corps Combat Instructor Ribbon
Iraq Campaign Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
Navy Unit Commendation
