Luis Rene Santizo

Luis Rene’ Santizo, 89, of Norman, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born on December 1, 1935, in San Juan Sacatepéquez, Guatemala, to Gabino Santizo Roman and Maria Corado de Santizo, Luis lived a life marked by faith, discipline, and devotion to his family and work.

Luis’s early years in Guatemala included being a teenage cadet attending the Escuela Politecnica, an officer’s training school. When a foreign mercenary army invaded the country in 1954, Luis and a handful of other cadets attacked and defeated them, saving Guatemala from a political and military takeover. He and six other cadets were initially incarcerated for sedition but later were released and eventually hailed as heroes.

Luis graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Oklahoma, a place that would remain close to his heart throughout his life. Before settling in Oklahoma in 1977, he lived and worked in Texas and Kansas, applying his skill and leadership to numerous engineering projects. In 1967, Luis began working at the Benham Group where he retired in 2017, after 50 years of dutiful service. Over his distinguished career, Luis served as lead engineer on many notable buildings and bridges, including the Energy Center at the University of Oklahoma and the Arena in Oklahoma City, home of the Thunder basketball team. In 1978, Luis became a US Citizen.

On October 5, Luis and his beloved wife, Nedria, celebrated 62 years of marriage, a beautiful testament to enduring love, partnership, and faith. Together they raised two children, Ana Cristina Santizo of Dallas, Texas, and Marco Rene’ Santizo of Norman, Oklahoma.

Luis is survived by his devoted wife, Nedria, his children Ana Cristina and Marco Rene’, his brother, Jorge Santizo of Norman, Oklahoma, granddaughter Kelly Santizo Olsen, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Elsa Leiva, Roberto Santizo, and Rolando Santizo, all of Guatemala City.

A man of deep faith, Luis loved God above all else, followed closely by his family and his work. He found joy in simple pleasures, playing bridge, listening to the music of the 1940s and the big band era, and cheering for OU football. His trips to Guatemala, especially those spent on mission work alongside his brother, brought him great fulfillment.

Those who knew Luis remember his remarkable work ethic, quiet discipline, and genuine kindness. He wished to be remembered as a good man who loved God and his family, and all who knew him would agree that he was exactly that.

Luis’s life leaves a lasting legacy of service, integrity, and love that will continue to inspire his family and friends for generations to come.