Santos Soto Favela

A visitation for Santos will be held Monday, September 20, 2021 from 9:00 AM, followed by a recitation of the holy rosary at 10:00 AM at Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary, 7924 North 59th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301. A funeral mass will be held at 12:00 PM at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 3630 N. 71st Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85033. A committal service (with military honors) will be at 1:30 PM at Holy Cross Cemetery, 9925 W. Thomas Road, Avondale, AZ 85392.

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

Our dad known to many as Santos, known to many more as Sonny, but will always be

known to us as Dad.

DAD—such a short three letter word, but to us, our dad makes it the biggest word in the

dictionary.

Born in Mesquite, New Mexico in 1932 - one of 11 children where he spent his early

years until his family moved to the valley in 1945. Dad was a young teenager when he

became fast friends with my uncle Juan and enamored with his younger sister, our

mom. His family and our mom’s family grew up together and worked in the agriculture

industry for most of their teen years. Their lives have been tied together since then.

While in school, our dad played any sport he could including basketball and boxing. Like

many youngsters back then, he left school to work so he could help his family with life’s

expenses. He worked tirelessly but did manage to have some teenage fun!

In 1952 our dad was drafted into the United States Army -it was during the Korean

conflict. After boot camp, he was deployed to Germany where his troop was stationed to

stand guard at the Berlin Wall. Our dad often told us that it was biting cold and that he

lost many friends in daily battles. He was reluctant to share the fearful experience but

would if asked. Like many soldiers did back then, he wrote many love letters to his

sweetheart, our mom. She still has them.

Corporal Santos S Favela was honorably discharged in 1954 only to come home to fight

a different battle -segregation. He forged on. The biggest motivation was to make a

good life and marry our mom. They were in such a rush, they eloped on August 11,

1955. Upon return from their adventure, our dad apologized to our mom’s parents

where they received their blessings and remarried by the church.

In 1956, our parents started their family and grew it to the five of us through 1966.

Eventually, our family grew to 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren - all of which

are here today except Daniel, a United States Marine deployed to Afghanistan. We

each have a lifetime of memories that we can write volumes on, but what stands out the

most is the deep love he had for our mom and us kids. Our dad literally climbed

mountains for us.

Our dad was a DIYer before it was a thing, and if I remember correctly built many patios

and extra rooms for our cousins. He was always tending to his perfectly manicured lawn

that was green as green could get.

Our dad had a great love for shiny new cars and LA Rams football, but his biggest love

of all was dancing with our mom!

We miss you deeply dad but promise to take care of mom and each other. Enjoy

tending to the lawns of Heaven flashing your million-dollar smile.

Forever in our hearts, Love Cece, Sally, Sonny, Sammy and Michael.