Jose Manuel Santos

Jose Manuel Santos, 67, passed away August 5, 2017, in San Antonio, TX.

Mr. Santos was a veteran of the United States Army, who proudly served his country during the Vietnam War.  During his tour of duty in Vietnam he earned several medals including one for his valor.  After his honorable discharge from the United States Army he continued with his education attending the University of Miami and Laredo Community College where he received his associates in business administration. Later he became manager of Wal-Mart for many years in different surrounding cities in Texas and he took part in the foundation and establishment of the first Wal-Mart in Mexico.  His mentor Zig Ziglar always encouraged him to better himself with his saying “See you at the top”.  Mr. Santos later went into the real estate business where he worked for Armadillo Homes and later perceived his Real Estate Broker license and built his own company called “Rome Realty”.  Mr. Santos was a devoted father, loving grandfather, wonderful son and brother known too many for his famous quotes ” Be prosperous to your family” , “Don’t give up inspirational full of life”, “The sky is where your dreams begin” and “A dad is someone you look up to no matter how old you’ve grown”.  The family will always remember him for his passionate love for fishing and his unique sense of humor.  He will forever remain in our hearts.

Mr. Santos is preceded in death by his brother; Jose Luis Santos and sister; Lydia Santos.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 45 years of marriage, Rosa Maria Santos, children, Rosella Santos, Maria Laura (Hoy) Russell, Jose Manuel (Martha) Santos, Jr., Yvette (fiancé John Gonzalez, III) Santos and Gilbert (Crystal) Santos; grandchildren, Edgar Santos, Victoria Ann Vaillancourt, Kathryn Christine Vaillancourt, Jesse Russell, Jose Ricardo Santos, Mya Jocelyn Santos, Ava Joann Santos, Diego Santos and Adela Santos; parents, Arturo and Lucia Santos, siblings, Rosalinda Alvarado of San Antonio, Arturo (Esmeralda) Santos, Jr., of Laredo, Armando (Bertha) Santos, Arnulfo (Maria) Santos of Laredo, Dr. Juan Felipe (Janet) Santos of Corpus Christi, Alberto Santos of Houston, Leticia Santos of Houston and Adrian (Monica) Santos of San Antonio, also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

God saw him getting tired
And a cure was not to be.
He wrapped him in His loving arms
And whispered “Come with me.”

He suffered much in silence,

His spirit did not bend.

He faced his pain with courage,

until the very end.

He tried so hard to stay with us

But his fight was not in vain,

God took him to His loving home

and freed from the pain.

The family will receive guests Wednesday, August 9, 2017, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services.  A holy rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm.  Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 10, 2017, at Saint Jude Catholic Church.  Funeral Mass will start at 9:30 am.  Interment will follow at the Veteran’s Section at the Laredo City Cemetery.  Full military honors will be provided by the United States Army and American Legion Post 59.

Funeral arrangements are by Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services, 1320 Trey Dr. Laredo, Texas (956)723-3611.  You may leave condolences to the family online at www.freddickey.com