Santiago Ontiveros

Santiago “Chago” Ontiveros entered eternal life at his residence, Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home on 22 December 2023. He was born on 17 February 1934, in El Paso, Texas to Benito and Dionicia Ontiveros. Chago was very proud of his service in the United States Navy from 1951-1955 during the Korean War. He was aboard the USS The Sullivans and earned two battle stars during his tour.

Chago loved watching all sports - especially his Packers and Yankees. He loved to play football, softball, and handball with his brothers as they were growing up. Later in life, he would enjoy a game of handball using the black hard rubber ball with whomever cared to join him. Naturally, he would win every time! It felt like the walls knew it was him playing and they would assist him as he played. Many times, he would hit the ball on the corner, 1/8 inch of the floor to beat you!

Chago was a mechanic and proud owner of Sun City Texaco. He loved working on all cars especially his 71 GTO until his retirement in 1999. He befriended everybody and anybody. He particularly enjoyed mentoring UTEP students and athletes over the years. His customers were old time friends and included local neighbors, judges, lawyers, doctors, nurses, educators, business owners, professional NFL and NBA players as well as the late head coach Don Haskins.

He loved his customers. There were times when clients couldn’t afford repairs and he would just charge them for parts and gift his labor to them. As a bonus he would give them a few gallons of gas until the next time. He preferred helping a customer than making a dollar! Now, the one thing he disliked was when his customers would follow him to the work bay and get under the car. “Mysteriously” they would walk out with a stain of oil on their clothing to discourage them from following him under the car again.

He enjoyed joking around and spending quality time with his close friends and family. Chago’s desire was for his family to be successful and happy in whatever occupation or education they chose. He wanted them to be leaders and not followers. We all knew he was hard on the boys and a sucker for the girls.

Santiago “Chago” Ontiveros was preceded in death by his parents, Benito and Dionicia Ontiveros, brothers, Angel and Gabriel “Bibi” Ontiveros, sister, Esther Fernandez, sons, Benito and Richard Ontiveros. Those left to mourn are his wife Margarita Carrasco, his brother Gilbert Ontiveros, and wife Cheryl, his sister Guadalupe Ontiveros and husband Epifanio, his sister Julie Ontiveros, his daughter Gloria Ontiveros, his son Ramon “Bobby” Ontiveros and wife, Patricia, his daughter Arlene Whittington and husband John, his daughter Lorraine Ontiveros. His step-daughters Rosemary Alonzo, Elizabeth Alonzo, Priscilla Alonzo and her partner Andra, Annette and husband Mark. His step-sons Freddie Rodriguez and wife, Maria and Raul Jauregui. Other survivors include, his sister-in-law’s, cousins, nieces and nephews, and a plethora of grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as and many extended family members.

A special thank you, to the staff at Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home they truly are angels working with our cherished veterans.

And remember as Dad used to say, “This is not goodbye, it’s see you later!”

Visitation will be held on 2 Jan 24, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, rosary will occur at 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Hillcrest Funeral Home, 1060 N Carolina, El Paso Tx 79915. Followed by Prayer Vigil on 3 Jan 24 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at Hillcrest Funeral Home. Graveside will occur 3 Jan 24 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave, El Paso Tx 79906 pm.

Pallbearers will be, Mark Blount, James Blount, Sammy Blount, Ray Ontiveros Jr, Chris Archuleta, and Aiden Archuleta.