Robert Thomas "Tom" Santos

Robert Thomas "Tom" Santos, age 65, passed away peacefully at his home on March 12, 2023, with his wife and children by his side. He was born to John and Amalia Santos in Stockton, California, on November 9, 1957. After the passing of his father in 1958, his mother moved the family to Uvalde, Texas. Tom loved growing up in Uvalde and remained very close to his childhood friends. He moved with his family to Angleton, Texas during high school, where he graduated in 1975. Tom worked many jobs to put himself through college and graduated from the University of Houston-Downtown with a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1984. Upon graduation, Tom's entrepreneurial spirit and love for computers led him to work with small businesses in the Houston area to customize computer and accounting systems, which was during a time when computers were not the norm.

Tom met the love of his life, Nelly, in 1984 while studying at the University of Houston library. They were a perfect match, sharing a passion for sports, dancing, music, and spending time with family and friends. Tom was smart and kind, had a beautiful and fun personality, a wicked sense of humor, and was extremely charming. Nelly was definitely charmed, and they were married in 1989.

Two years later, in 1991, Tom was diagnosed with brain cancer while working as an IT specialist at Northeast Medical Center Hospital. He relied on his faith, humor, determination, positive attitude, and endless support from his family and friends to endure his rigorous treatments, defy all odds, and win his battle with cancer. He took great pleasure in letting everyone know how long he had been cancer free (31 years at his time of passing). Tom will also be remembered as an amazing athlete with a strong love for tennis, golf, bowling, running, the Astros, and the Green Bay Packers.

Tom believed his greatest blessings were his son, John, and daughter, Victoria. He was a loving father who always encouraged and supported their many endeavors and took great pride in all of their accomplishments. Tom is survived by his wife, Nelly, two children, John and Victoria, his siblings, Alfredo (Diana), Mollyann (Gary), David, and Dolores (Stacey), as well as numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Tom's life beginning with a visitation on Wednesday, March 22, from 5 - 9pm (rosary at 6:30pm) at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale St., Houston, Texas 77023. The funeral mass will be held on Thursday, March 23, at 11am at Blessed Sacrament Church, 4015 Sherman St, Houston, TX 77003, followed by the burial service at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery at 1pm. A reception in Tom’s honor will be held at the Blessed Sacrament Church reception hall following the burial service.