Jose Eduardo de Santiago

Jose attended Weslaco High School and graduated from their Vocational School where he studied welding. He worked as a welder- fitter for American Steel and Mid-West Steel. Within a few years he became supervisor of plant, erection and acted as shop foreman at Jedco Steel Products, Inc. After hard work and dedication, In 1978 he founded and was President of Desco Steel Products, Inc.

In his pursuit of excellence, he became involved in many civic organizations and was the recipient of many distinctive awards and recognition of his contributions. Some of those he treasured were, National Minority Small Business of the Year in Washington, D.C. by the Small Business Administration, named among the Country’s top 500 Hispanic business in 1985 and 1986, Minority Business Development Center Certificate of Achievement for Outstanding Entrepreneurial Success and Contributions to the Houston Community, Proclamation of Jose de Santiago Day by Mayor of Houston on April 19, 1986, Businessman of the Year award from Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 1986, Small Business Administration Outstanding Achievement Award, Houston District as Minority Small Business Person of the Year 1985, U.S. Small Business Person of the Year- Dallas Region 1985, U.S. Department of Commerce, M.B.D.A., Dallas Region 1985, Harris County State of Texas Resolution from Judge Jon Lindsay for recognition as one of the 15 Houston based 500 largest Hispanic business in sales 1985.

He was a member of U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Northwest Houston Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors of Northeast Houston Chamber of Commerce, Houston Chamber of Commerce, Business and Industry Council for North Harris County College and Aldine Optimist Club.

Jose truly dedicated his life to help others succeed in business and life.

His family in all his endeavors and successes in turn, also supported him and took many life lessons from his generosity. They loved that their father also loved music, dancing, telling jokes, and singing karaoke.

Jose was preceded in death by his parents, Jovita & Florentino De Santiago.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 59 years, Gloria De Santiago; daughters, Diana Armenta and her husband, Sergio Armenta, Sylvia Kerr; son, Jose E. De Santiago, Jr., and his wife Leanne De Santiago; eight grandchildren, Natalia Ponce, Felix Ponce, Melanie Ponce, Annalisa Armenta, Noah Armenta, Zayden Armenta, Isais Armenta, Jacob Kerr and numerous extended family members and friends.

A visitation for Jose will be held Monday, September 18, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039. A prayer service will occur Monday, September 18, 2023 from 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, September 19, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039. A committal service will occur Tuesday, September 19, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Brookside Memorial Park.

Serving as pallbearers are Eduardo Armenta, Diego Armenta, Juan Morquecho , Fernando Barragan , Fortunato "Pee Wee" Morquecho Jr. and Jacob Kerr.