Philip Valdemar Martin Santos

Philip V. M. Santos, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2026, surrounded by his cherished family, after a brief illness. Born on July 25, 1940, in Hanford, CA, Philip was the son of Valdemar Santos and Maryanne Martha Santos, who predeceased him. Philip's life was a tapestry of rich experiences, love, and dedication. In 1962, he married the love of his life, Jesslyn C. Phelps, in Tulare, CA. Together, they built a beautiful family, welcoming their daughter, Nicole, in 1967, and their son, Brent, in 1971. Philip's devotion to Jehovah and his family was unwavering, and he found immense joy in watching his children grow and thrive. He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Jesslyn, his daughter Nicole Ceballos and her husband Tim, his son Brent Santos and his wife Jennifer, and his treasured grandchildren, Brynn Demar and Brent Evan Santos. Also surviving him is his dear brother in-law Roger Phelps, his wife Susan and their children Crystal and Kevin and their families. Philip also has surviving cousins in Hanford, Selma, Dallas and Canada. Philip began working at a young age of 10, when he had a newspaper delivery route. Later he was a butcher at State Market in Hanford and also in San Francisco while in college there. Philip's journey of service began with the National Guard, as an artillery and radar operator, where he served from 1962 to 1968. Concurrently he pursued his passion for engineering, earning an Associate degree in Electrical Engineering from The College of San Mateo. Philip began his career at Western Electric as an Associate Engineer, but with the birth of his daughter, he chose to return to Tulare, CA, to work in the family business, C. P. Phelps, Inc., as President after his father-n-law's death in 1980. He worked alongside his brother-in-law, Roger Phelps, Vice President, until their retirement in 2019. Phil was 78 years old when he retired. A man of many interests, Philip had a deep love for Jehovah, serving as an elder in the congregation for many years. He also had a love for Contemporary Jazz music and Soft Rock, attending many concerts. He had a passion for gardening, attending many garden tours and creating stunning landscapes at each of their homes. He was an avid sailor and enjoyed camping adventures with his family and friends, even embracing the thrill of snowmobiling and downhill skiing during winter months. Together with Jesslyn, Philip explored the beauty of Sedona, AZ and Lake Tahoe annually and frequently visited Avila Beach and many other places. Philip and Jesslyn also traveled by car across the U.S. when they were younger, missing only a few states. Known for his storytelling and humor, Philip's warmth and kindness touched everyone he met. His selflessness and concern for others were hallmarks of his character, and he was deeply loved by family and friends alike. A memorial service to celebrate Philip's life will be held on October 10th at 1:30 PM at the Kingdom Of Jehovah's Witnesses, located at the Northwest corner of Akers and Caldwell, Visalia, CA. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff of the 2nd Floor, North Wing of Kaweah Delta Hospital for their attentive care during Philip's final days. Philip's legacy of love, laughter, and kindness will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Philip Valdemar Martin Santos

July 25, 1940 - July 24, 2026