Santos Sosa

Santos Sosa, 67, of Abilene, passed away on April 3, 2016. Santos was in born Haskell, Texas to Ramon and Felisitas Sosa on September 15, 1948. He attended Abilene High School. He graduated from Abilene Christian University with a Bachelors degree in Psychology in 1979. He married Elva Villarreal on September 21, 1979 in Abilene. He was the Director of Children Services and later became the Deputy Executive Director of Mental Retardation services at Abilene Regional MHMR (Betty Hardwick Center). He was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer in May of 1970. He was released from Active Duty in January 1972 and immediately joined the 490th Civil Affairs Company that same month. He held several officer positions with the 490th and served as the Commander from 1991-1994. He was promoted to Colonel on May 5, 1996 and deployed to Operation Joint Endeavor where he was assigned as Chief, Operational Planning Team to USAREUR from May 1996 to January 1997. In 1998 he received his real estate license, and joined Century 21 Hogan-Warner REALTORS. Not being able to stay away from the military, he secured employment with Northrop-Grumman Info Tech in 2001. This enabled him to continue to serve his country while working various military exercises all around the world. His medals included NATO Medal (1996), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (1996), Armed Forces Service Medal (1996), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hourglass Device (1982, 1992), Mobilization Device (1996), National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star (1969, 1991), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters (1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992), Army Commendation Medal (1991. 1997), Meritorious Service Medal (1994, 1996), and Legion of Merit Medal (2001). In addition to his military career, Santos was an active member of St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church. He served on various church committees, including the Wake Ministry. Throughout his lifetime he was also involved in a variety of civic committees in the Abilene area. Santos was an avid Texas Rangers fan who never missed watching or listening to a game. He loved cooking and would spend hours in the kitchen trying new recipes. He loved to travel and experience new cultures, but above all else he enjoyed being at home and spending time with his family. Santos was preceded in death by his father, Ramon Sosa. Santos is survived by his wife of 36 years Elva Sosa. His sons: Santos Sosa Jr. and wife Melissa Sosa of Irving, TX and Sixto Sosa and fiancé Lisa Tobin of Abilene, TX; daughters: Angie Castaneda and husband Geno Castaneda of Abilene,TX and Maria Nowlin and husband Josh Nowlin of Ft. Worth, TX. Sisters: Nelly Diaz of Abilene, TX, Silvia Flores of Flower Mound, TX, and Ramona Sosa of Abilene, TX, his mother: Felisitas Sosa of Abilene, TX; eight grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Don Flores, Angel Garcia Sr., Ramon Diaz, Drew Flores, Tony Garcia and Gamaliel Saucedo. Visitation will be at 6:00 pm. Tuesday, April 5th at Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd. Rosary will follow at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, April 6th at St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church, 2525 Westview. Burial will follow at Texas State Veterans Cemetery.