Lucio De Los Santos

Mercedes: Lucio De Los Santos Sr., 70, passed away on Monday, June 20th, 2022, at Mid Valley Nursing & Rehab Center in Mercedes, Texas. Lucio was born on July 22, 1951 to Emilio and Trinidad (Martinez) De Los Santos Jr. in Mercedes, Texas.

The middle child of eight siblings, Lucio grew up in Weslaco. He learned the value of hard work early, working to help his family as a young teenager. He was a natural leader and was a field crew leader before starting his produce and trucking business, De Los Santos Produce and Farms. Lucio’s work ethic and drive to succeed paid off, and De Los Santos Produce and Farms was a successful venture.

Lucio met his soulmate as a young adult, Gloria Gonzalez, at a dance. They were a perfect match and were married in 1975. Lucio and Gloria raised five children in the Weslaco area. Lucio’s business thrived, and he was an excellent provider. Gloria and the kids would accompany Lucio on some of his long road trips making priceless memories along the way. Lucio enjoyed truck driving and was more comfortable behind the wheel than on an airplane or any other mode of transportation. As a young adult, he loved racing cars with his brothers. The family took many road trips to Dallas and all over Texas. They also spent lots of time at South Padre.

Lucio loved to fish. His favorite place to relax was on the water, and he always had his wife or family nearby. Lucio also had lifelong friends. He enjoyed playing poker, hosting a good barbecue, and watching the Astros and the Cowboys.

Lucio also enjoyed farming and watching the fruits of his labor come to fruition with a successful batch of watermelon, melons, or onions. He had a green thumb and was humbled and appreciated nature and all God provided.

Lucio was a man of faith, and the church was essential to him. He always made time for God and was a follower of Christ, attending City Church RGV.

Lucio was generous and the first to volunteer if someone had a need. He was a loyal husband who adored his wife, Gloria. Lucio was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. His legacy will live on through his example of humility and love.

Lucio is preceded in death by his parents, Emilio Jr. and Trinidad Martinez.

He is survived by his loving wife of nearly fifty years, Gloria, and children, Cynthia Maxwell (Derek), Lucio “Papo” De Los Santos Jr. (Cecilia), Adan De Los Santos (Lori), Jason De Los Santos, and Daniel De Los Santos (John Palla), grandchildren, Thomas, Julissa, Diego, Zachary, Ava, Victoria, Joshua, and Nathaniel “Little Nate” De Los Santos, Nathaniel and Jonathan Salazar, Lauren Gaytan (Chris), Margarito "Marky" Guerrero, Alexis Guerrero (David Alonso), David Rodriguez, Karina Lynn Rodriguez, and Skylar Donna Maxwell, great-grandchildren, Liam and Leo Alonso and Luke Gaytan, siblings, Daniel De Los Santos (Andrea), Emilio De Los Santos (Dotty), Miguel De Los Santos (Janie), Diana Morroquín, Irené Portillo, Armando De Los Santos (Rosa), and Roy De Los Santos (Debbie), sisters-in-law, Ester Gonzalez (Richard), Rosalinda Casarez (Esteban), Sylvia Gonzales (Milo), Nohemi Infante (Eduardo), Maria Elena Briones (Juvenal), Alma Gonzalez, and Elma Gonzalez, brothers-in-law, Ruben Gonzalez, Armando Gonzalez (Sylvia), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday, 2-9 pm, with a prayer service at 6:30 pm followed by a rosary at 7:30 pm. A celebration of life will be Saturday, June 25th, at 10 am, at City Church RGV, 2717 Mid Valley Dr. Weslaco, TX 78596, officiated by daughter-in-law, Pastor Lori De Los Santos. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Park in Weslaco.

Serving as pallbearers will be Diego, Zachary, Joshua, and Nathaniel “Little Nate” De Los Santos, Margarito Guerrero, David Rodriguez, Emilio De Los Santos IV, and Tony Marroquín.