About Us

David "Chop" Sanchez was born September 11, 1948 in Harlingen, Texas to Paula Garcia and Felipe Sanchez. He lived in La Feria and attended La Feria public school from 1st - 12th grade. He graduated from La Feria High School in 1967. Chop was involved in many clubs and organizations during his school years. He was vice-president of his senior class, he played most sports and was voted "Most Athletic" by his classmates. Chop attended Pan American College from 1967 - 68. In December of 1968, he married Dilia Cisneros and moved to Dallas, Texas where he worked for Greyhound Lines. In 1969, he was drafted and joined the United States Air Force. He attended Avionics Tech School at Lowry A.F.B. Las Vagas, Nevada from 1970 - 1971. He graduated as an Avionics Technician, top secret clearance. He worked on F-111 fighter jets and was stationed at Nellis A.F.B. Las Vegas, Nevada from 1971 – 1974. During 1972, he was deployed to Takhli A.F.B. in Thailand where his squadron led air support bombing missions into Vietnam and Laos. He received an Honorable Discharge from the USAF in November of 1974. Chop returned to La Feria in 1975 and was hired by L.F.I.S.D. as a math lab paraprofessional and a junior high coach. He completed his B.S. degree from Pan American University in 1976. He began teaching math and computer math at L.F.I.S.D. He continued coaching under A.D. Joseph "Butch" Wenke. In 1978, he received his masters' degree from Pan American University.

Chop taught and coached a L.F.I.S.D. until 1996. In the fall of 1996, he joined the L.F.I.S.D. Curriculum and Instruction Office. His community service included volunteer coaching for the Little League Summer Baseball Program from 1978 - 1984, serving on the Bailey H. Dunlap Library board from 2000 - 2006, Boys and Girls Club coach and referee from 2001 - 2004, Pony League Baseball official from 2002 - 2006 and school election judge from 2001 - 2004. Chop was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. He and his wife Dilia were youth ministers from 1982 - 1984. He served on the Church finance board from 1988 - 1995 and was a marriage sponsor couple mentor from 1984 - 2006. Chop was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 12135 and served as president in 2003. His wife Dilia retied as a 5th grade teacher from Noemi Dominguez Elementary School in La Feria. His eldest son David is a computer engineer for IBM in Austin, Texas. His son Dario is an 8th grade L.A. teacher at Green Jr. High and a La Feria High School coach. His daughter Delicia is a junior at Texas A&M. He has five terrific grandchildren Julia, Vivian, Dario Eloy, Daniella, Demaris and two wonderful daughters-in-law Christi and Michelle. David "Chop" Sanchez was an avid sports fan. He loved all things La Feria, athletics, maroon, A&M, and golf. You knew he had had a great day when he met one of his former students and they addressed him a "Coach". Chop always saw the glass half-full and his patience was his strength. David "Chop" Sanchez was a giver not a taker, a helper not a watcher, a learner not a slacker, a leader not a follower. He was a hands on teacher, a negotiator, a mediator, and always, always, always a Coach. If you knew him you would like him, if you heard of him you would want to meet him. His family was lucky to have him. He left us way to early but his spirit will continue.