Francisco Javier Sandoval

OA Feb 03 2004

ODESSA — Francisco Javier Sandoval, 62, of Odessa, went to be with our Lord, Jesus Christ on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, at the Hospice House.
He was born on Jan. 6, 1942, in Balleza, Chihuahua, Mexico, and lived his childhood there with is dad, Javier Sandoval and stepmother, Elisa Villalobos Sandoval. In the early 1960s, he first came to the U.S. to work as farm and ranch labor through the “Bacero Program.” Mr. Sandoval was employed in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado and Kansas for three to six months at a time before returning to Mexico again.
Mr. Sandoval married Emma Elfida Morales in July of 1966 in Lamar, Colo. He and his family came to Odessa in October of 1974 and have resided here since. He worked as a roustabout labor for several companies and spent 10 years working for the Midwest Equipment Company (Meco).
After more than a decade of attempting to gain legal residency in the U.S., his dream became a reality on April 12, 1976. The Sandoval’s home is made with beautiful landscaping-plants, trees, flowers and the greenest yard on the block. Mr. Sandoval had a special love for nature, land and animals instilled in him from his dad’s ranching background.
Mr. and Mrs. Sandoval moved to Pleasant Farms at 5358 W. Fig in September, 2000, in order to carry out his lifetime dream of owning a farm. He worked had to raise hogs, goats, chickens, two cats, two dogs. He also grew a huge vegetable garden each summer to share with family and friends. Mr. Sandoval’s gift of working with the land could easily be seen.
In February 2001, his wife suffered a tragic car accident leaving her disabled and blind in her right eye. At this time he took the role of man and woman of the house. He never lost his faith and shared his love and attention with his wife, children and grandchildren. Javier made friends easily with his new neighbors in Pleasant Farms. Long time friends would stop by for a cookout or just to buy a goat, hog or fresh vegetables. Holiday with his family were especially dear to him.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Emma Elfida Sandoval; and four children, Omar and wife, Viviana Sandoval, Vilma Cira and husband, Ruben Salcedo, Jaime Sandoval, Maria del Rosario Olivas and husband, Leonel, all of Odessa; grandchildren, Omar Darren, Bianca, Phillip, Dylan Sandoval, Ruben Noel and Luis Daniel Salcedo, Carlye and Javier David Huitron; sisters, Dionicia Sandoval of California, Amalia Villalobos, Sara Buianda and Irma Chavez of Chihuahua, Mexico; brothers, Manuel Sandoval of Las Palomas, Chihuahua, Jose Dolores Sandoval of Salinas, Kan., Samuel Sandoval and Jesus Alonso Sandoval of Chihuahua, Mexico.
He was preceded in death by both his parents; mother, Cira Ortega in October 1947, and father, Javier Sandoval in May of 2002.
A Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today at Odessa Funeral Home Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be his son, sons-in-law, grandchild, Darren, and God Son, Enrique Diaz Jr.
Services by Odessa Funeral Home.