Gilberto Sanchez

Gilberto Sanchez, known to many as “Panther,” passed away peacefully at home in Questa, New Mexico, on May 23, 2026, at the age of 78, surrounded by family.

Born on November 12, 1947, in the small village of Llano Largo near Peñasco, New Mexico, Gilberto was the son of Levi and Augustina (Muñiz) Sanchez. He spent his early childhood in northern New Mexico before his family later relocated to Leadville, Colorado, where he attended school and developed a strong work ethic.

As a young boy, Gilberto survived a devastating accident after being struck by a car. Doctors told his family that he likely would not survive and, if he did, he may never walk again. Against all odds, he recovered and went on to live a long, active, and hardworking life. In many ways, Gilberto was a walking miracle long before he realized it himself.

Gilberto later served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War era and spent much of his service stationed in Germany, where he worked as a communication lineman. Though he rarely spoke at length about his military service, he carried discipline and resilience from those years throughout the rest of his life.

Following his return home, Gilberto dedicated himself to hard work. He spent many years working throughout the mining industry in both Colorado and New Mexico. In Colorado, he worked at the Eagle Mine near Gilman and at the Climax molybdenum mine north of Leadville during the early 1970s. He returned to New Mexico to work on the construction of the Santa Rosa Dam and Reservoir alongside his father-in-law before later working at the Kerr-McGee uranium mine near Grants, New Mexico.

Much of Gilberto’s working life became tied to the molybdenum mine in Questa, New Mexico, where he worked on and off through multiple operational changes from the 1980s through the 2000s, ultimately accumulating more than twenty years of service before retiring as a Miner First Class. During fluctuations within the mining industry, Gilberto also worked for Taos Gravel and operated his own automotive paint business, P & F Paint Shop. Many vehicles painted by Gilberto remain on the road today, reflecting both his craftsmanship and pride in his work.

Gilberto ultimately chose to forego retirement, returning to work for another dozen years as a security guard through Securitas during the mine’s remediation phase, continuing to work until just months before his passing.

Gilberto was a man full of personality, humor, and conversation. Strong-willed, stubborn, opinionated, optimistic, and endlessly talkative, he could strike up a conversation with nearly anyone, especially in Spanish, which he loved to speak. Known for his signature handlebar mustache as much as his stories and opinions, Gilberto never hesitated to lend a hand to someone in need and had a natural ability as both a mechanic and tinkerer, talents that often seemed to come as naturally to him as breathing.

Cars were one of Gilberto’s greatest passions throughout his life. He especially loved Chevrolets and Chevelles, a passion that never faded with age. He enjoyed collecting cars, model cars, and automotive memorabilia, and he always seemed to have another project planned for the shop. He passed away wearing a Chevelle shirt, something fitting for a man whose love for cars became part of his identity.

Even into his 60s, Gilberto also enjoyed participating in Mud Bog races with his lifted Volkswagen Beetle known as the “Mud Bug,” leaving lasting impressions both on the track and among spectators who remembered his adventurous spirit and love for excitement.

Though many knew him simply as Gilbert, throughout Questa and beyond he became widely known by another name: “Panther.” The nickname originated years ago after he painted a Chevelle pink for his wife Debbie. When people saw him driving the car around town, they jokingly began calling him “Pink Panther.” Though the car did not remain pink for long, the nickname stayed with him for the rest of his life, and many people knew him only as Panther.

Gilberto’s faith was demonstrated more through his actions than words. During a major restoration project at St. Anthony’s Parish in Questa during the 1990s, Gilberto and his family helped sand and refinish the church pews through his Paint Shop.

He also deeply loved his family. Gilberto shared a brief first marriage with Rose (Mederos) Yslas beginning in 1967 and was blessed with two children, Gilbert Lee and Gina.

In 1975, he married Debbie Cisneros after meeting her while driving his beloved 1956 Chevy in Leadville. Together they built a family and life in New Mexico, raising Hope, Manuel “Bo,” and Alejandro “Aj”. Though their marriage later ended, they remained lifelong friends. His daughter Hope lovingly gave him the nickname “Honey,” a name that remained close to him throughout the rest of his life.

Gilberto endured tremendous loss in recent years, including the passing of his oldest son, Gilbert Lee, in 2023, followed by the deaths of his brother John and sister Dorothy within the past year. Yet even through grief and declining health, he continued to make plans, visit with friends, talk about cars, and hold tightly to his sense of humor and optimism.

During his final months, Gilberto was surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones who helped care for him with dignity, comfort, and love. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Anvoi Hospice as well as to all relatives and friends who visited, prayed, and supported Gilberto during his final journey home.

Gilberto is survived by his daughter Hope Gonzales (Rick) of Albuquerque, NM; son Manuel “Bo” Sanchez (Jennifer Lucero) of Questa, NM; son Alejandro “Aj” Sanchez of Albuquerque, NM; daughter Gina Graybeal (Steve) of Grand Junction, CO; grandchildren Destiny Gonzales (Jeffrey Chavez Jr.), Faith Gonzales (Dino Mulay), Elliana Terry, Katelyn Manzanares (Josh), Marissa Sanchez, Danté Sanchez (Nina), Maurice Armstrong, Monique Armstrong, and Halle Graybeal; and great-grandchildren Jeffrey Chavez III, Serenity Chavez, Noelle Mulay, Nova Lee Manzanares, Ezrah Manzanares, London Manzanares, Sicily Sanchez, and Mesha Armstrong.

He is also survived by his daughter-in-law Sandy Sanchez of Grand Junction, CO; his lifelong friend and former wife Debbie Sanchez of Albuquerque, NM; sister Alice Sanchez of Brighton, CO; brother Floyd Sanchez (Margie) of Thornton, CO; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends.

Gilberto was preceded in death by his parents, Levi and Augustina Sanchez; son Gilbert Lee Sanchez; grandson Michael Armstrong Jr.; brothers Leo Sanchez, John Sanchez (Evangeline), Baby Paul Sanchez, Paul Sanchez, and Levi Sanchez Jr.; sisters Dorothy Mascarenas (Robert) and Shirley Sanchez; along with many other relatives and friends who welcomed him home.

Services for Gilberto will be held at St. Anthony’s Parish in Questa, New Mexico. A Rosary will be held on Sunday, May 31st, 2026, at 6:00 PM, followed by a Mass of Christian burial celebrating his life on Monday, June 1st, 2026, at 10:00 AM and burial at El Pueblito Cemetery.

As family and friends remember Gilberto, they remember a man who lived with grit, humor, stubborn determination, and heart — a man who could spend hours talking about cars and oldies, listening to New Mexico music, and enjoying New Mexican cuisine and rooting for the Denver Broncos; a man who worked hard through life’s hardships, prayed quietly through his actions, and left behind stories, laughter, and memories that will continue riding down the roads of northern New Mexico and Colorado for years to come.

The family of Gilberto Sanchez has entrusted the care of their beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to the compassionate staff of DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. www.devargastaos.com