Jorel Xavier Sanchez

Jorel Sanchez of Arlington, Texas passed away peacefully at Arlington Medical City on May 13, 2023, after a courageous battle with Primary Malignant Neuroendocrine Neoplasm of the Pancreas, stage four, with which he had been diagnosed in October of 2021 and by then had spread to his liver. He departed surrounded by his deeply beloved family and his dedicated and loving fiancée. He was only 34 years old.

Jorel was born in Arlington on September 28, 1988, to Grace Carrillo Dormier and Raul “Riley” Sanchez. The younger of two boys, his brother Jarred was born just a year before Jorel and they were often mistaken for twins, which was compounded by the brothers’ inseparable closeness throughout childhood. Jorel grew up in Arlington and attended Summit High School, where he graduated in 2007. He went on to attend classes at Tarrant County Community College. A hard worker, Jorel climbed the ranks and was most recently employed as a grocery manager.

Those who knew Jorel knew him to be a true one-of-a-kind, rarity in this world. Jorel was many things, among them a loving and dutiful son, a caring and trustworthy brother, an attentive uncle who loved his nieces and nephews with all his heart, a cherished nephew, an adored grandson, a devoted and doting partner to his fiancée, Ash, and the stand-up and honest friend everyone wishes they had. He was giving and good-natured – if any of his friends, family, or acquaintances needed anything, he gave anything he could. Family and friends fondly remember him as always laughing and an intent listener, always ready to be there for them at a moment’s notice.

Jorel was a very well-rounded person. He was highly intelligent, always excelling at whatever he put his mind to, whether it be math, language, or art. Those who loved him most appreciated that he was dependable, responsible, loyal, and honest to a fault. He was often stoic, but truly a deeply compassionate and selfless person. He loved helping others whenever he could. Despite all these fantastic traits, Jorel was often extremely humble.
A multi-instrumentalist, Jorel was an especially skilled guitarist who also played the bass guitar and drums – and was always happy to share his knowledge and wisdom of music with anyone who wanted to learn. He was frequently described as “the best guitarist in DFW.” He loved playing guitar with his brother Jarred. He was also an avid music listener and fan; he went to hundreds of concerts in his lifetime and would often travel across the country to see multiple shows in multiple states.

Nothing illustrates his love for music like his love for Detroit death metal band The Black Dahlia Murder. In 2015 Jorel and his friends Ariel Linden, Kyle Gilbreath, and Sean Skinner, started a Facebook fan club for TBDM named The Blast Fiends, which the band soon embraced as its official fan club. This enabled Jorel to become close personal friends with the members of the band – Trevor Strnad, Brian Eschbach, Brandon Ellis, Ryan Knight, Max Lavelle, and Alan Cassidy – and he would remain close to them through the rest of his life. His support for the band and their team was truly treasured, and they will remember him as an exemplary and wonderful pillar of the TBDM community and a cherished friend.

Through Blast Fiends, Jorel made a lot of meaningful connections with people around the world. He was propelled to fame within the group, acquiring many fans who equated him with being a member of TBDM, and he was often approached for photo ops and autographs. Jorel found close, meaningful friendships in his fellow admins of the group: Ariel, Kyle, Sean, Shayne Raftery, Priyesh Patel, and Karim Peter. In May of 2022, tragedy struck when the vocalist of The Black Dahlia Murder, Trevor, unexpectedly passed away. The community held each other up passionately in the wake of this blow. Once the band courageously decided to move forward, a memorial show was to be held at St Andrews Hall in Detroit on October 28, 2022.

Despite the circumstances of the Detroit show, Jorel’s attendance proved to be a life-changing experience. It was there that he met Ashley (Ash) Trent. It was love at first sight, and although she lived just outside of Detroit and Jorel had to go home to Texas, the distance could not keep them apart for long; by December, Ash was in Arlington more than she was Michigan. From the moment they met, Jorel and Ash knew they had a special connection. They could talk about anything for hours and understood each other effortlessly. They were able to be their truest selves together, for which Jorel was immensely grateful. They shared a love that was pure, steadfast, and full of perfect kindness and caring. Jorel loved Ash’s son Layne, and the two of them loved to talk on the phone and had a close bond when together in person. Jorel very much looked forward to becoming Layne’s stepfather. Jorel and Ash had plans to marry within the next year or two at St Andrews Hall, where they met. Ash dedicated herself to Jorel’s wellbeing in their time together, went to every doctor and hospital stay with Jorel, and stayed by his side to the end.

Jorel had many plans for his future in addition to those he had with Ash, with whom he planned to move to Michigan – he was extremely excited to have a house with a basement to put his famous merch collection on display. He dreamed of going to Australia and Japan one day. Most of all, he planned to continue to follow The Black Dahlia Murder, among other bands he loved to see, for as long as they were touring.

Jorel is survived by his beloved fiancée Ash, mom Grace Dormier, dad Riley Sanchez, brother Jarred Sanchez, and half-sisters Alexis and Kitty. He was a dedicated and supportive “Unkie” to his nephew and nieces: Vincent, Linda, and Olivia, whom he loved like his own children. Other survivors include Grandpa Joe Carrillo, Grandmother Olivia Sanchez, Uncle Joe Carrillo (Hyon), Aunt Kathy Carrillo (Louis Fernandez), Uncles Ray and Chris, and Aunt Debbie. Extended family members included Gaby Romero, Micaela Flores (mother of niece Olivia), Minta Sanchez (mother of nephew Vincent and niece Linda), her other children Devin and Sophia, whom Jorel considered a nephew and niece, Kyle J, Maggie, Matt, Max, Ellen, Maybellene, Evelyn, Michael, Layne, and numerous other family members that meant so much to him.

Jorel was also survived by friends he considered part of his family, especially Nathan Hart, Mike Black, Mike Arneel, and numerous other friends and acquaintances around the world. He will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
We find comfort knowing that the Lord has prepared a place for Jorel and will be welcomed to eternal life by those who preceded him in death: his grandma Juanita Carrillo, grandfather Raul G Sanchez Sr., stepfather Stephen Dormier, and his deeply treasured friend Trevor Strnad.

Visitation:
Wednesday, May 24
6:00-8:30 p.m.
Wade Family Funeral Home
4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington.
Funeral Mass:
Thursday, May 25
11:00 a.m.
St. Joseph Catholic Parish
1927 SW Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington.
Rosary at 10:15 a.m. at the church prior to the mass.

Though his body was wasting away, his inner self was being renewed. This momentary affliction prepared him for an eternal glory beyond all comparison.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18