Felipe Alejandro “Alex” Sanchez

United States Air Force First Lieutenant Felipe Alejandro “Alex” Sanchez tragically passed away on June 5, 2023, from service-connected cancer.

Sanchez, a native of Mexico, immigrated to the United States during his middle school years. He was raised by his parents in the Houston area alongside his three younger brothers. During high school, he stayed active on the track and soccer teams and was an active member of the Navy Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Outside of his academic and extracurricular commitments, he frequently assisted his father with automotive repairs and household tasks. He is an alumnus of the University of Houston, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Education, subsequently embarking on a highly regarded career as an educator before joining the Air Force.

Driven by a love for this country and a deep-seated passion for service that blossomed during his participation in his high school’s ROTC program, Sanchez enlisted in the Air Force in October 2010, immediately after graduating from the University of Houston. During his time of service, he received the 147th Security Forces Squadron – Outstanding CGO of the Year (2021) and The Air Force Achievement Medal – May 2023.

Sanchez met his future wife, Antonia, during their first year of teaching. Antonia taught Pre-K, while Sanchez taught 5th grade. Midway through the school year, after a few brief interactions, Sanchez began stopping by Antonia’s classroom under the pretense of borrowing materials for his science lessons. As fate would have it, they both joined the after-school program staff, where casual conversations turned into a genuine friendship that gradually blossomed into love.

As parents, the birth of their daughters, Alexia, Alexandra, and Arianna, marked a new and joyful chapter. Sanchez was a loving, hands-on father who took immense pride in being a dad. Some of the family’s most treasured memories were made while traveling, especially at the beach, Sanchez’s favorite place. He loved jumping waves with the girls, building sandcastles, and ending each trip with a tradition: letting the girls bury him in the sand and transform him into something silly. Their favorite? A mermaid, complete with a tail and all the decorations. Those moments of laughter and love perfectly captured the kind of father and man he was: warm, generous, and endlessly devoted to his family.

A true fighter, Sanchez lived with unwavering faith. When he learned his time was limited, he asked to deploy one final time, wanting nothing more than to serve his country until the very end. Though that mission wasn’t possible, he remained steadfast, holding on to hope for a miracle. Antonia and her daughters believe he received that miracle—not in the way they’d hoped, but through complete healing in the presence of the Lord.

Sanchez’s daughters are his greatest legacy—strong, kindhearted, and faithful, shaped by the example he set every day. Antonia fondly recalls the many compliments from friends, teachers, and even strangers about how well-mannered their daughters are. He was a true fighter with unwavering faith. Antonia and their daughters will continue to honor Sanchez by living as he taught them: grounded in faith, kind to others, and always striving to do their best. He would often say, “Don’t try, succeed”—and that is exactly what they plan to do.

United States Air Force First Lieutenant Felipe Alejandro “Alex” Sanchez is survived by his loving wife, Antonia, and their beautiful daughters, Alexia, Alexandra, and Arianna.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided the Sanchez family with a mortgage-free home through the Gold Star Family Home Program.