Councilman Sanchez dies

Flags at Odessa city buildings were at half-staff Wednesday, as the city mourned the loss of a young leader.

District 5 City Councilman Michael Sanchez, 39, was pronounced dead at Medical Center Hospital at 7:45 a.m., MCH officials confirmed.

Sanchez, a master electrician who was general manager of Major Electric, was elected in 2006. He was a 1987 graduate of Odessa High School, who attended several colleges, including Odessa College, the University of Texas at Austin and Texas Tech University.

Odessa Mayor Larry Melton said Sanchez's sudden death was a significant loss for the city.

"I think the entire city is in a complete state of shock," he said. "I'm very saddened by his death. We're keeping his family in our thoughts and prayers."

Melton said Sanchez was a very "studious" councilman.

"He did his homework," he said. "He was a good councilman and an asset to our community."

Sanchez was discovered early Wednesday morning at the office by his brother, Steve Chavez, said his step-father, Raymond Chavez, owner of the family business.

Sanchez's body was to be transported to Fort Worth, where an autopsy to determine a cause of death was to be performed, Raymond Chavez said.

"I want to know what happened," he said.

Chavez said it was common for Sanchez to arrive at work at 5 a.m. - after going for a morning run.

Chavez said his son was not afraid to cast the lone dissenting vote in a 4-1 decision.

"He was doing a hell of a good job," he said. "He will be totally missed."

Along with the city, Sanchez loved his three daughters, Chavez said.

"Mike was 120 percent family," he said. "His life was those three girls."

But Chavez felt Sanchez's daughters would be strong enough to overcome the loss, he said.

While he was growing up, it was hard to imagine Sanchez running for City Council, Chavez said. As a young man, Sanchez dreamed of getting out.

"He never wanted to be here in Odessa," he said. "Guess what? He winded up here in Odessa, and he fell in love with Odessa."

That love culminated in May 2006, when Sanchez defeated incumbent Berta Calzada with nearly 73 percent of the vote to take the District 5 council seat, which covers much of western Odessa.

"You could never say anything bad about Odessa (to Sanchez)," Chavez said. "Them was fighting words. If I wanted to edge him up, I'd talk about Midland."

Sanchez was helping make Major Electric very successful, which allowed Chavez to lessen his role with the business. Now, the father said he will increase his workload.

Despite never having attended the school, Sanchez was a big fan of the Texas A&M Aggies, Chavez said.

He was also a big supporter of downtown, said Nancy Wells, executive director of Main Street Odessa. He became the council's representative to the organization's board shortly after his election.

"We're reeling - totally shocked," Wells said Wednesday morning. "He is a friend as well as a board member."

Sanchez even got his children involved with Main Street, Wells said.

Wells said she'd remember him as an intelligent person with a dry sense of humor and a broad vision.

"I'm hoping some of that vision might get accomplished," she said.

Mike George, president of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, said Sanchez was an "outstanding" councilman who wanted to know the details behind every transaction.

"I am devastated by this," he said. "Councilman Sanchez was a wonderful family man and a dedicated community leader. His work as a city councilman will have positive consequences for many years to come."

Check www.oaoa.com for updates.