Born on August 27, 1931, in Mercedes, Texas, Miguel grew up with a deep sense of duty, faith, and love for his community. At 18, he was drafted into the United States Air Force, serving four years across various bases in the United States and overseas during the Korean War. Following his military service, he continued his commitment to public service as an investigator for the United States government. His career led him and his family to Chicago, Illinois, for four years before he retired and returned home to San Antonio, Texas, in 1984. He continued working after retirement as a substitute teacher.
Miguel was defined by his extraordinary generosity and unconditional love for all people and cultures. Known for putting others before himself, he was the kind of man who would truly give you the shirt off his back. He brought warmth and humor into every room he entered, always ready with a joke, a bright smile, and an open heart.
A devout Catholic, Miguel’s faith was the cornerstone of his life. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and dedicated decades of service to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in San Antonio, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, a Lecturer, and ran a bilingual prayer group alongside his beloved wife, Lucinda.
Miguel is preceded in death by his cherished wife of 63 years, Lucinda Reyna de los Santos (d. 2022), with whom he shared a deeply loving marriage and raised five children, as well as his beloved son, Miguel Alberto de los Santos Jr. (d. 2004). He is also preceded in death by parents Fidencio and Maria de los Santos, his sister Guadalupe Reyna and his brother Agustín de los Santos.
He is survived by his sister Minerva Tovar and his children: Oscar S. de los Santos. Cynthia Pacheco and her husband Ricardo, Arturo de los Santos and his wife, Norma and Veronica de los Santos and her husband, Theodore.
He leaves behind a rich legacy through his 11 grandchildren: Sofia Pacheco, Esteban Pacheco, Emiliano de los Santos, Paulina de los Santos, Oscar de los Santos Jr., Andres de los Santos and his wife Emily, Mia Torres and her husband Damyen, Christian de los Santos, Alexandria Martinez and her husband Mavrick, Sebastian Conklin, and Ynez Conklin; as well as his three great-grandchildren: Kimberlyn de los Santos, Zayn Torres, and Lyla Torres.
A visitation will take place from 5:00-7:00 PM, on Tuesday, November 24, at Porter Loring Mortuary West, with a rosary to follow beginning at 7:00 PM.
A mass will take place at 9:30 AM, on Wednesday, November 25, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, with a committal service to follow at 11:30 AM, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
A Committal Service will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209, on November 25, 2026, at 11:30 am.
