Son of Manuel DeSantiago (b. 1907) and Augustina Muñoz (b. 1912)
"At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can." – Frida Kahlo
Don Julian was blessed with a long and fulfilling life, filled with family, love, and laughter. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he was committed to ensuring a better future for his family. His legacy is one of hard work, resilience, and generosity.
He was born in Somerton, Arizona, just two houses away from where he would later build his own family home. The DeSantiago and Muñoz families were some of the original settlers of what was commonly known as Burro Town. He spent his early years between Arizona and Chihuahua, Mexico, before permanently settling in Arizona in 1960. As a migrant farmworker, he traveled seasonally between California and Arizona, following the harvest and working tirelessly to provide for his family.
In 1959, Julian met the love of his life, Martha (Andrade) DeSantiago, and they married in 1960. In the summer of 2024, they celebrated 64 years of marriage—more than six decades of partnership, devotion, and unwavering love. Together, they raised four children: Guadalupe “Lupita”, Julian Jr. (Teresa Rangel), Laura (Marco Rios), and Lilliana “Lily” (Giovanni Cardenas).
Don Julian was a proud grandfather to eleven grandchildren: Robert Perez, Erik Perez, and Tanya Perez-Figueroa (children of Lupita DeSantiago); Xenia DeSantiago-Loera and Vivianna DeSantiago (children of Julian DeSantiago Jr.); Vienna Casillas, Natalie Casillas, Leila Rios, and Marco Rios Jr. (children of Laura DeSantiago-Rios); and Delilah Cardenas and Minah Cardenas (children of Lilliana DeSantiago-Cardenas). He was also blessed with three great-grandchildren: Persephone Ruiz (daughter of Vienna Casillas), Arena Perez (daughter of Robert Perez), and Liam Perez (son of Erik Perez).
A beloved member of his community, Don Julian was a familiar face around town. He could often be found at Main Street Park, playing dominoes with friends or visiting family throughout the neighborhood. He cherished time spent outdoors, socializing, and sharing stories. Known for his generosity and sense of humor, he was someone you could always count on for a helping hand and a good laugh.
Above all, family was his greatest priority. He worked tirelessly to ensure that no one went without, instilling in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren the values of hard work, perseverance, and kindness. His love and legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.
Services:
A viewing will be held at Johnson Mortuary Chapel, located at 1415 S. First Avenue, Yuma, Arizona, 85364, on April 2, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. A rosary will take place at the same venue on April 2, 2025, at 7:00 pm.
The funeral mass will be conducted at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, situated at 310 W. Spring Street, Somerton, Arizona, 85350, on April 3, 2025, starting at 10:30 am. For more information: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/yuma-az/julian-desantiago-12306551
