Matias Torres Falcasantos

Matias Torres Falcasantos, known to many as Jim, passed away peacefully in Memphis, Tennessee, on September 5, 2025, at the age of 90. Born on February 24, 1935, in Isabela Basilan City, Philippines, Jim was one of 13 children raised on a humble farm cultivating coconut, coffee, avocados, rice, and sugar cane. His adventurous spirit shone early, and his deep admiration for American culture led him to enlist in the U.S. Navy on February 21, 1955.

Jim served with honor for 22 years before continuing his dedication to country through 20 more years in civil service for the U.S. armed forces. His Navy career sent him around the world, but it was during his station at Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois that he met and married his beloved wife, Kathleen Fay Heaphy, on June 22, 1963. Together, they shared over 50 years of marriage until Kathleen’s passing in 2014 and raised three children: Dawn (Wyatt) Billings, Debra (Chris Howell) Falcasantos, and Brian (Rebecca) Falcasantos, US Army Retired.

A proud moment in Jim’s life was his naturalization as a U.S. citizen on February 14, 1964. He truly cherished the country he served and found joy in American Westerns, John Wayne, riflery, tinkering in his shop, and deer hunting—even if success eluded him.

Jim never knew a stranger, greeting everyone with charm, generosity, and a genuine interest in conversation. His legacy of warmth and service lives on in his children, six grandchildren—Matthew (Alexa), Nathan (Jenny), Gabriel (Kylie), Lucie, Manny, and Kiara—and his first great-granddaughter, Eloise Faye. Jim is survived by his sisters Teofila, Mercedes, and Rosa, brother Simplicio, and many loving relatives in his home country, the Philippines. He was preceded in death by his wife Kathleen, his loyal dog and companion, Coco, and his parents Fulgencio Francisco and Lucia Liberto Torres Falcasantos.

He will be remembered at a funeral mass at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 10:00 am. Visitation and praying of the rosary will begin at 9:30 am. Burial and reception will follow the funeral mass at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Dementia Society of America in Jim’s memory.