Jose Blas Sanchez Gonzalez will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, brother, father, grandfather, friend, mentor, respected small business owner, and trusted mechanic for two Unocal 76 gas stations, first in Boyle Heights (Soto Street) and later in Monterey Park (Atlantic Boulevard).

He was known as kind, committed, and always going out of His way to provide assistance and guidance to other immigrants, especially those from his home state of Jalisco, Mexico. He took great pride in teaching and mentoring new mechanics from his community and instilling in them the importance of commitment, integrity, and, as he would say, 'ganas!' He also provided students from the nearby continuation schools and community college opportunities to gain work experience at His gas stations to earn credit toward graduation or automotive degrees.

The Jose Blas Sanchez Gonzalez Scholarship Memorial Fund will pay tribute to His legacy to provide new students the same opportunities He provided others during His life.

He also supported His children, enabling them to earn college and advanced degrees and launch successful careers in law, education, and civil rights. One of His greatest joys in life was attending His grandchildren's activities and telling them His and other family stories.

“Our father was fortunate to live the American dream and never forgot where he came from and always recognized those who helped him. He led by example, valuing education, hard work, and community. He leaves us a beautiful legacy which we carry forward by, among other efforts, continuing the partnership with ELAC that our father started,” shared his family.

"It is an honor to establish a scholarship in the memory of Jose Blas Sanchez Gonzalez. Now more than ever, we need role models like him to inspire our students to follow their dreams as we continue to Transform Lives and empower both our students and the communities. Through this scholarship, his memory will live for generations", Dr. Albert Roman President of East Los Angeles College.