Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and buddy; also known as “The Legend,” or “Grandpa,” Gilbert Antonio Sandoval passed away peacefully at Castleview Hospital in the early morning of August 12, 2024 in Price, Utah.
Gilbert was born June 12, 1943 to Antonio and Apollonia Jacquez Sandoval in Gallina, New Mexico. He was the second oldest of eight children.
Gilbert met the love of his life, Genevieve (Veva) Duran at a Notre Dame school Saint Patrick dance in 1960. They dated for two years and were married August 18, 1962 at the Catholic Church in Dragerton, Utah. Together, they created a beautiful family and welcomed seven children of their own and raised one more. That soon multiplied to 24 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren. In a span of 14 years, Gilbert and Genevieve also fostered 26 children together.
At 18 years old, Gilbert worked for Utah Railway before beginning his career in the coal mines. He worked in multiple coal mines, but Kaiser Steel was his longest career where he worked for 23 years. Gilbert worked in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico for a total of 30 years in the mining industry. Gilbert later worked various jobs to keep him young; he was a jack of all trades.
Gilbert was a self-taught musician and he could play any instrument he would pick up. He was in a few different bands, but he was well known for his many years playing with Justus & Shade. Gilbert enjoyed playing his guitar when he could, especially when his grandchildren were over.
In Gilbert’s earlier years, he enjoyed riding his Harley, his “chopper,” and weightlifting. He enjoyed camping, boating, four-wheeling, fishing, deer hunting, attending and watching pro- sports games, concerts, and all of the grand and great-grandchildren’s baseball games, softball games, dance recitals, and motocross races. He loved being a part of the pit crew for the derby’s for over 40 years with the boys, but his all-time favorite pastime where you could always find him would be on his porch swing having coffee with his better half as he would say, his Vejia.
Gilbert took pride in many things, but most of all was his yard, especially when it was recognized by Price City for yard of the month. He loved receiving compliments on his yard and how beautiful and clean it was. He made sure he would mow it every Monday and he would sit on his porch swing for the days that followed to admire his straight lines. It was rare that you would see a dead spot or anything out of order in his yard.
Gilbert was an avid sports fan. He was a faithful Utah Jazz and Denver Broncos fan, win or lose. If either one of them lost, everyone knew not to call or visit because he would not answer. His phone was off and the door was locked. Gilbert kept stats and scores with his brother, Hank of each and every game and would compare who had what. He shared a special bond with all of his grandchildren when it came to sports, but he always looked forward to his post-game reports with his grandson, Rulis.
We sure will miss his “whisker burn” hugs, his playful humor, and knowledge that will live on for a lifetime. We will miss his distinguished, perfectly combed hair, the notorious old spice smell, and his witty “no shit” and “oh geez,” but most of all his contagious laugh.
Gilbert is survived by his sisters, Bessie and Juan Montelegra, Margie and the late Fred Duran, Louise “Lulo” Candy Manzanares, Josie and Jesse Alcon, Dolores and the late buddy Quintana, and Joann and Steven Manzanares; his sister-in-law, Mary and Cardell Mortensen, Mesquite, Nevada; and brother in-law, Archie and Julia Jaramillo, Abiquiu, New Mexico. Gilbert is also survived by his wife, Genevieve Sandoval; eight children, Rick, Andy (Tammy), Tommy (Cindy), Carlos (Andrea), Rudy (Bobbi), Terri (Clint) Hauser, Loretta Trejo, and Tino Jr. Lujan; 24 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; and many friends.
Preceded in death by his parents, Antonio and Apollonia Sandoval; father and mother-in-law, Solomon and Guadalupe Duran; brother, Hank Sandoval; his buddy and special granddaughter, Brooke Tomadakis; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
Vigil Service, Sunday, August 18, 2024, 7:00 p.m., Mitchell Funeral Home (233 East Main Street) in Price. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Funeral Mass, Monday, August 19, 2024, 10:00 a.m., Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church (210 North Carbon Avenue) in Price. The family will receive friends from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. prior to the mass at the Church. Committal Service will follow in the Cliffview Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Gilbert online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net