Santos G. Canales passed away peacefully on May 20, 2023 at the age of 78.

Santos was born the fourth of six children to his parents Santos Leon Canales and Elia Gonzalez Canales on October 31, 1944 in Rios, Texas.

A beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend to many is now at rest. Words cannot describe the wonderful man that Santos was to his family and just about any one that was blessed to know him. He was devoted to Christ, Our Blessed Mother and overall believed in the gracious power of prayer. Santos was faithful to his parish at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, but also had strong ties to Holy Family Catholic Church as this is where he and his beloved Elena joined in the sacrament of marriage in the late 1960s. This legacy of strength will guide our family for generations to come.

He is joined now in heaven by his parents Santos Leon Canales and Elia Gonzalez Canales.

Santos is survived by his wife, Maelena "Elena" Canales, six children: Jose Guadalupe Luera (Michelle Nesmith Luera), Benito (Yvonne) Canales, Magdalena (Phillip) Valls, Santa Cristella Canales-Garcia, Graciela (Gilbert) Lopez, and Esmeralda (Javier) Canales-Martinez; 18 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; six siblings: Consuelo (Nicholas †) Garza, Camilo "Ray" (Irma) Canales, Guadalupe (Isidro †) Carbajal, Hector (Josie) Canales, Ruben Canales (Mariselda †), along with many extended members of the family and countless friends whom he loved.

Public Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at Guardian Funeral Home, 5922 Crosstown , with the Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. that evening.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, 3513 Cimarron Blvd. , with the Burial to follow at the Santos Canales Ranch Family Cemetery in Rios, Texas.