Luciano Steve Soto

Luciano Steve Soto, born August 03, 1937, passed away on September 10, 2022, at the age of 85. Raised on a family farm in Cibolo, Texas, he attended the Lower Valley School, his father moved the family to Cementville for a job at Portland Cement company in Alamo Heights.

He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Dolores Soto and by his sister Rachel S. Speegle.

Luciano Steve Soto, known as “Lucy” by his high school friends around town, and grew up to be Mr. Soto to all. The boy who chopped fodder and picked cotton for money to buy a 1941 Chevy when he was 13 years old, became a licensed U.S. Customs Broker at the age of 37 by the age of 45 he had offices throughout the borders of Texas; Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Laredo, Houston and San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley. In 1972, Mr. Soto was awarded the chief customs broker, for five annual Mexican Trade Fairs at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention center in San Antonio.

Forty one years ago Luciano Steve Soto shared his story, with a smile on his face. “I came from a migrant worker situation and was 17 years old in the eighth grade, between yard work and delivery jobs I made my way through Alamo Heights High School in three years and got married to my next door neighbor when I was 20 — we were both in high school.” He took his high school sweetheart to the Senior Prom with permission from the school principal. In the high school yearbook, a secret photo with hidden messages of football players thoughts during a pep rally, “Lucy” had a bride on his mind. A heartfelt romance from the beginning, his sweetheart Amelia Flores.

Amelia and Steve were married at St Anthony de Padua Catholic Church, 65 years ago, January 8th.

Mr. Soto never lost his love for the farm life, as he was heavily invested in the brokerage business, he always made time for family and shared his love of the “5 Lazy S Ranch” with everyone. He raised registered Brangus cattle, loved Saturday’s at the ranch to go and visit all his neighbors a little coffee, homemade sausage or whatever they gave him to taste he did. He would get weather reports, planting suggestions from the surrounding farmers on his Saturday journeys. Each year he planted essentials, sorghum, wheat and oats... and baling hay, if a storm would come he would ask his sons to gather their friends and head out to Marion to pick up the bales of hay.... only to offer a reward of an all-you-can-eat at The Overlander.

Mr. Soto had a smile like no other, lighted up a room and made every person feel as special and as important as the other. Throughout his life he kept in close contact with his high school classmates and with 12 couples, called the “Lucky 13 bunco club” life long friendships for 58 years every month, what a special treat.

He devoted his life to his “truest Love - Amelia” and children. He is a proud father and grandfather to Aggies, Bears, Cardinals and Eagles. He was a faithful and devout servant to the Virgin Mary. He truly believed that “taking things casually” was the greatest gift to God’s gift of happiness.

Mr. Soto is survived by his wife, Amelia Soto and three children, David C. Soto and wife, Linda, granddaughter Presley Isabelle of Brentwood, Tennessee, Edward J. Soto and wife Lilli, grandson Edward Matthew and granddaughter Melissa Helen of Marion,Texas, daughter Mary Elizabeth Soto, sister Linda S. Haley and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephew and cousins.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to: Marion High School FFA Agriculture Department, and to your favorite charity on behalf of Luciano S. Soto and family

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetNorthFuneralHome.com for the Soto family.