Roll Call Tribute

Reinaldo Santiago "Ray" Santiso 

November 27, 1948 - August 15, 2024 

Reinaldo Santiago Santiso passed away peacefully on Thursday, the 15th of August 2024 in the comfort of his Laguna Vista, Texas residence surrounded by his family. He was 75 years of age.

Reinaldo was a loving father, grandfather, family member, and friend. He loved and cared for all he knew. During his lifetime, he was a real estate broker, rancher, farmer, and banker. He served his country honorably as a member of the United States Air Force as a combat medic and attained the rank of Sergeant. He deployed to Vietnam as a part of the 366th Combat Support Group. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal.

He was born in Brownsville, Texas on November 27, 1948. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1966, and went on to attend St. Edward’s University and Texas A&M University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration and Marketing, and with a Master’s in Agricultural Economics. He enjoyed being with his family and friends, the beach, history and the sciences, travel, hunting, rock 'n roll, good food, and cooking.

Reinaldo was preceded in death by his parents, Reinaldo Santiso and Celia Sobrino Santiso; by his uncles, Fausto Sobrino, Manuel Santiso, Dr. Ignacio Santiso, and Gaston Santiso; by his aunts, Dora Maria Santiso, Rosa Sobrino Melguizo, Mother Teresa Sobrino, and Pilar Sobrino Clark; by his cousin, Toni Melguizo Montemayor; and, by our dear family caregiver, Idelfonsa “Poncha” Canseco.

He is survived by his children Dylan Santiso and his fiancé, Laura Stathopoulos, Adriana Santiso, and Célangé Santiso Black and her husband, Aaron Black; by his former wife and the mother of his children, Specialist Sherlei Dannhaeuser; and by his grandchildren Kai Mosley-Santiso, Elissiana Santiso, Alexandria Santiso Chenault, and Penelope Santiso Chenault. He is also survived by his sister, Diana Santiso del Rio and her husband, Jesus del Rio; by his nieces Alejandra del Rio de la Macorra and Cristina del Rio; by his nephew Carlos del Rio Santiso; by his cousins, Charles and Barbara Enriquez, Peter and Ana Clark, Susan Clark, Enrique and Maria Dolores Melguizo; and by numerous other relatives.

The Memorial Mass will be celebrated at two o'clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 21st of August 2024 at the historic Immaculate Conception Cathedral, 1218 E. Jefferson Street, Brownsville. Inurnment with military honors will then follow, via an escorted procession, at Buena Vista Burial Park.

In lieu of floral arrangements, please consider making a memorial contribution to one or more of the following foundations: Vietnam Veterans of America (vva.org), Gary Sinise Foundation (www.garysinisefoundation.org/donate), American Cancer Society (donate.cancer.org), M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (gifts.mdanderson.org/default.aspx?tsid=10503), and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org/give). 

Memories of Reinaldo may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com. 

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520.