1924 - 2016
On the morning of September 6, 2016, Raul passed away peacefully of natural causes. Raul was 92 years old and lived what can only be described as an incredibly full life.
Raul was born July 9, 1924 in Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Mexico, and was raised on his family’s ranch “Rancho La Bandera.” He was the oldest of three children to Brigido and Cristina (Garza) Santos.
Raul had a very entrepreneurial spirit and never shied away from new business ventures. While living in Mexico he helped on his family’s ranch where they raised longhorn cattle. Raul also tried his hand at chicken farming and claimed
he had over 200 chickens at one time. When he was asked what he did with the eggs, he said he sold them to McDonald’s for the McMuffins. This claim however, cannot be confirmed nor denied.
As a young man he worked as an accountant for the Carta Blanca Brewery and was also apilot for the Mexican Civil Air Service.
In his late 20’s, Raul left Mexico and moved to the Los Angeles area. Soon after, he met Frances (Fritzi) and they married March 25, 1956. Raul and Fritzi settled in Compton, California and had two daughters, Christina and Patricia (Patti).
Raul and Fritzi both worked full time jobs and in 1968 decided to open up a restaurant. They named the restaurant “Tina’s Mexicantessen,” and their Sunday Menudo was known for miles around. Raul had been eyeing the Fallon area for some time and knew that he eventually wanted to move his family there from Los Angeles. In 1967 he bought the ranch on Wildes Road and leased it out until he could make the move to Fallon.
In 1972 Raul and his family moved to Fallon, where he worked on his ranch, drove a truck for Model Dairy, and worked as a Milker for Guazzini’s Dairy. In 1973 he bought his first piece of farm equipment and therein started his love affair with farming. Raul, custom farmed for people all over the valley, up until 2009. Raul loved his Family, his Ranch and his Cattle immensely.
Raul was incredibly proud to have become a United States citizen in 2003. He loved this country, was a staunch Republican and a true patriot.
Raul took care of his farm to the best of his ability in his later days and continued to feed his cows morning and night. He was a loving and wonderful Father to his two Daughters, Christina and Patti, and a treasured Grandfather
and Great Grandfather.
Raul may have passed on from this Earth, but he will never be far from our hearts. His spirit will live on through his surviving family: Brother and Sister-in-Law, Virgilio and Yolanda Santos; Sister, Maria “Angelita” (Santos) Elizondo; Daughter, Christina Santos; Son-in-Law and Daughter, Jim and Patti (Santos) Brown; Grandchildren Kyle Knutson, Darrin and Katie (Knutson) Steinbach, Trevor and Amanda (Brown) Hammond and David Brown; Great-Grandchildren Arya and JaiLeigh, and numerous Nieces and Nephews.
Memorial Services will be held at 2 pm on September 17, 2016 at The Gardens, 2949 Austin Hwy, Fallon