Jose G. Santos

José Guillermo Santos 2/24/1928 - 12/16/2017 José G. “Joe” Santos passed away peacefully in his home on December 16, 2017 at the age of 89. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Genoveva Santos, brothers Ramon, Fernando, and Timoteo, and son Robert. He is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Josephine; children, Patricia (James), Catherine (Richard), Sandra (Carlos), Stanley (Kathryn), Theresa, and Rebecca (Kevin); grandchildren, James, Scott (Eleanor), Jennifer (Farzad), Joseph (Brittany), Carlos (Lily), Joseph (Anelisa), Matthew (Jacqueline), Christopher, Melissa, Lauren, Rachel, Alexander, Robert, Nickolaus, Theresa and Isabel; great-grandchildren, Arya and Gavin; and, sisters, Chata, Grace, Rita, and Evangelina. He was born in south El Paso on February 24, 1928, the eldest of eight children from immigrant parents. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of seventeen. He began his career in the grocery business as a meat cutter, ultimately joining Safeway where he became a supervisor. In 1964, he opened his first grocery store on South Stanton St. and then opened the Food City Supermarkets in 1972. He has employed thousands of people throughout his career as a grocer and businessman. His most important legacy was his kindness and generosity to the countless nuns, priests and churches throughout El Paso, Mexico and other countries. He had a special devotion to the Virgen de Guadalupe and the Divine Mercy. He distributed thousands of rosaries and crucifixes to help spread these devotions. He also never passed on an opportunity to help feed and provide for the less fortunate. He served his Community and Country quietly. He was always a voice for those in need and the ignored. He was instrumental in procuring millions in start-up federal funds for public housing and health clinics in El Paso. He served as an advisor to three presidents, two governors and several mayors and U.S. Senators. In 2009, he was awarded the Conquistador Award by the City of El Paso. He was also most recently awarded the first Annual Latino Legacy Award from CommUNITY en Acción for his contributions as an influential Hispanic businessman and innovator. The Santos family would like to thank his many caregivers for their loving care and the numerous doctors and nurses that attended to him. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to Father Yermo School, Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (Christ the King Monastery, 145 N. Cotton St., or Corpus Christi Monastery, 451 Mockingbird Ln.), or St. Anthony’s Seminary. The Honorary Pallbearers are Robert Arrieta, Juan Carlos Castaneda, Mike Dipp, George Lopez, Manuel Mancera, Joe Martinez, Ed Soto and Nestor Valencia. Visitation will be at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 2301 Zanzibar Rd., on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 5 pm followed by a Rosary at 6 pm. The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, December 22, 2017 at 11 am at St. Raphael Catholic Church. Interment will follow the Mass at Mount Carmel Cemetery. Services directed by Hillcrest Funeral Home, 1060 N. Carolina Dr.