DODGE CITY – Louis Tovar Sanchez, 97, died Thursday, October 8, 2020 in Dodge City.

He was born in the Mexican Village, Dodge City on August 19, 1923 the son of Soledad Sanchez and Florentina Tovar. He was a lifetime area resident and member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City. He worked for Centel as a meter reader for many years, working for them he received the President's Award and the Centel Corporation Man of the Year in the State of Kansas. He was very involved in the Dodge City Community being the first Hispanic mayor of Dodge City along with the first Hispanic elected to the city commission. He coached and umpired for the Dodge City Softball Association for 25 years becoming president of the Dodge City Recreation Commission along with Umpire in Chief. Louis also served as the chairman of the Diocesan and Development Drive, Great Plains Development Committee, Ford County Regional Planning Committee, Council on Aging, and was a member of the GI Forum. Louis credited his parents for instilling the values and ethics for how he led his life. He also was a resource to the Heritage Center in Dodge City regarding the Mexican Village. Louis and Linda were widely known for their ball room dancing skills.

On October 23, 1943 he married Linda E. Esquibel in Dodge City. She preceded him in death on November 20, 2007.

Survivors include: his 2 daughters: Victoria "Vicky" Smith, Wichita, Kansas, and Dianne Sanchez, Leesburg, Virginia; 1 daughter-in-law, Marilyn Sanchez, Prairie Village, Kansas; 1 sister, Anita Morales, Wichita, Kansas; 2 grandsons, Kenneth Roush, Wichita, Kansas and Bradford Smith, Phoenix, Arizona; 2 granddaughters, Erin Winters, Prairie Village, Kansas, Kansas and Kelley Sanchez, Connecticut; and 6 great grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, 1 son, Robert D. "Bob" Sanchez, 5 brothers, Alvin, Rudy, Frank, Gavino, and Isaac Sanchez, and 6 sisters, Lena, Ramona, Asuncion, Luz, Trinie, and Mary.

Funeral mass will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 10:00 am for Louis Sanchez, Robert Sanchez and Linda Roush at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City.

The family suggests memorials to Senior Center Friendship Meals or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe both in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14 ^th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801. Condolences may be sent to www.zieglerfuneralchapel.com.