Gene married Patricia (Pat) Brown in 1960 and shared almost 62 years of marriage. Their marriage was an example of love, devotion and faith, overcoming incredible life challenges.
Gene graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1954 and received his Associate’s Degree from Lee College in 1969. After working a number of years as a manager with O’Brien’s Foods, Gene began his career with Mobay Chemical in 1970, retiring after 25 years of service. Gene was also a 40-year member of the Cedar Bayou Masonic Lodge.
Gene enjoyed spending his time restoring cars, creating arts and crafts, painting, talking about history, golf or fishing, but his greatest passion was his love for family and friends. Gene had a special talent for talking to old friends or making new ones and had a smile that could brighten any room.
He was preceded in death by his parents (Eugenio Santana, Marina Santana), daughter (Melissa Santana), brothers (Miguel Santana, Henry Santana) sisters (Marina Garza, Evangelina Santana) and great-grandchild Sarah Santana.
He is survived by his wife Patricia (Pat) Santana, children Michael (Mary) Santana, Robert (Helene) Santana, Jackie (David) Machala, grandchildren Jamie (Lisa) Santana, Elise (David) Kuntz, Rachel (Andrew) Savens, Crystal Santana, Rebecca (Brandon) Runyon, Brandon (Andrea) Santana, Danielle (Andre) Brooks, Jeremy Santana, Andrew Santana, Adrien Santana, Crystal Machala, Brian Machala, Steven (Jennifer) Machala, Jonathan Machala, Jeffrey Machala, Kaylyn Machala and Kyndall Machala, great-grandchildren Samantha Santana, Eric Santana, Jaycee Kuntz, Davin Kuntz, Waylon Kuntz, Justin Weig, Madilynn Savens, Philip Savens, Russell Savens, Everly Runyon, Jackson Runyon, Brayden Santana, Draven Santana, Alexandria Santana, Jaxon Brooks, great-great grandchild Bentley Reed. Sisters Hortencia (Val) Carmona, Nena (Bill) Gebhardt, Ofelia (Martin) Yepez. Sisters-in law Christine Johnson, Charlene (Bill) Moore and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.
Visitation will be held from 9-10 am, Monday, August 22, 2022, at Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX 77521. Funeral service will begin at 10 am. Interment will follow at Earthman Memory Gardens Cemetery, Baytown, TX.
Honored to serve as pallbearers: Jamie Santana, Brandon Santana, Jeremy Santana, Steven Machala, Jonathan Machala, Jeffrey Machala. Honorary pallbearers: Andrew Santana, Adrien Santana.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.navarrefuneralhome.com for the Santana Jr. family.
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