Benjamin Lorenzo Sanchez Jr., known in his community as Coach Ben Sanchez, died on Sunday, August 5, 2018, in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. He was 29 and had spent his life in Lincoln County, where he coached at schools and Little League teams in Hondo, Ruidoso, Capitan, and Mescalero. His obituary emphasizes his role as a mentor and role model to local youth.

Survivors listed include his mother Corena Baca; brother Isaac Sanchez; sister Melinda Silva; partner Brie Martinez; children Jeneah Leigh Sanchez and Benny Pete Sanchez; grandparents Amie and Pete Baca Sr.; uncle Pete Baca Jr.; aunt Camille Baca; and many other relatives and godsons. A rosary was held August 9, 2018, with a funeral mass August 10, 2018, at St. Eleanor Catholic Church, and burial at St. Jude Catholic Cemetery in San Patricio.

If anyone knew Coach Ben or has information to share about him, please contribute what you can.