Santos Pina Sr.

ELDORADO Santos went to be with the Lord November 16, 2012 at the age of 87. He was born to Felipe and Dolores Piña in Eldorado, Texas on March 30, 1925. He was the third of three children. He was taught the value of hard work from a young age and experienced many hardships but through determination and the will to succeed he made a better life for himself. On July 7, 1945, he married his beloved wife and had a lasting marriage of 58 years. Together they raised a family of seven children, making Eldorado their home. Santos labored at various locations and later worked maintenance for the Schleicher County Independent School District for 17 years. He then worked for HG White at Western Auto for five years and eventually began self-contracting. Santos was a man of God and with his wife taught his children the same values and beliefs. With his wife at his side he raised his children and cherished them dearly. His love for his family continued with grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Santos enjoyed being outside and working with his hands. Later on in life he took on the task of gardening several parks in town but his pride and joy was the triangle park on Divide. To keep himself busy he also repaired lawnmowers for local residents. When he didn't have lawn mowers to fix he got creative. He drove his wife crazy with some of his inventions but he never gave up. At one point he put a motor on his three-wheeled bicycle. Santos is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Piña; his parents, Felipe and Dolores Piña; his siblings, Andres Piña and Bernabe (Nina) Sanchez; nephew Marcie Piña; son-in-law Isaias (John) Esquivel; daughter-in-law Neria Piña; and infant granddaughter Katherine Piña. Santos is survived by his children, Dorothy Linda Esquivel of Fort Worth, Ernestine (Tina) Torres and husband, Richard of Keller, Santos Piña Jr. and wife Helen of Fort Worth, Felipe Piña and wife Anna, Billy Joe Piña and wife Rosa, Mary Ann Gonzalez and husband Enrique, all of Eldorado, and Roxanne Adame and husband Rojelio of San Angelo. He is also survived by 21 grandchildren and their spouses; 28 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; along with several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are Santos's grandsons, Isaias P. Esquivel Jr., Richard David Torres, Felipe Lorenzo Piña, Anthony Piña, Alan Cole Piña, Quisto Gonzalez, and Richmond Thomas Adame. Honorary Pallbearers are his "Pretty Boys", Kevan and Korbin Covarrubiaz. Your mission has been completed; your spirit has been set free. The heavens welcome your exhausted soul and we, who mourn, go forward sharing your guidance and teachings you instilled in each one of us. The family wishes to extend our sincere gratitude to Anita Jones and all the Schleicher County Nursing Home staff for all their dedication, comfort and support, Dr. David Harvey and assistant Natalie, Dr. Gordy Day, Dr. Jaquelyn Jeffery, and countless friends who showed their love and support. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church burial following in Eldorado Cemetery. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, at Kerbow Funeral Home.