Tony Paul Santos

Tony Paul Santos, 90, of Tulare, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 6, 2025. A beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, he will be deeply missed and affectionately remembered. Tony was born August 24, 1934 in Tulare, California to Manuel Coelho Santos and Maria Gloria Souza Santos. His family owned and operated a dairy in Tulare before relocating the herd and dairy operation to Porterville. He attended Wilson Elementary School in Tulare, Rockford Elementary School in Porterville, Porterville High School, and served in the United States Army as a Specialist Fourth Class, stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, from 1957-59. In 1965, he married Evangeline M. Correia of Chino, CA. Known to most as "Vangie," she was his devoted wife for 48 years until her passing in 2013. Together, they raised three children, owned and operated Tony P. Santos Holstein Enterprises, a farming operation and dairy heifer replacement feedlot in Strathmore, CA. In 2006 they moved to Tulare, a mile from his childhood home and site of the dairy he was raised on; he often said he felt his life had come full circle and would fondly recall memories of his childhood and marvel at how the area had changed over the years. He was an active member of Sunny Side Elementary School Board for many years, as well as Porterville Young Farmers, Lions Club, Tulare County Farm Bureau, and was a long-time supporter of the 4-H and FFA programs in Tulare County. He was also very involved in the Portuguese community serving on festa committees in Tipton, Tulare, Visalia, and Pismo Beach, served as a past president of the T.D.E.S. Festa Committee, and was a past member of the T.D.E.S. Board of Directors in Tulare. Tony is survived by his children: Marie E. Santos-Silva and her husband Joe, Irene M. Santos, and Tony P. Santos II and his wife Anna, all of Tulare; his grandchildren Sarena Anderson, Stacie Ann Silva, Joe Silva Jr., Adrianna Sharp, Manuel, Brianna, and Alexis Santos; his great grandchildren Benjamin and Evangeline Anderson; one sister Linda Pereira of Merced; many nieces, nephews, and godchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Evangeline, their infant twin sons John and Manuel Santos; his brothers Manuel Santos of Tulare and Joe Santos of Porterville; sisters Phyllis Figueirdo of Livingston, Freida Santos of Tulare, and Diane Dias of El Nido. A Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Tuesday, June 17th at 6 pm at Saint Aloysius Catholic Church in Tulare. Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Wednesday, June 18th at 10 am also at Saint Aloysius Catholic Church located at: 125 E. Pleasant Avenue in Tulare. Interment will be at Tulare District Cemetery on Kern Avenue, immediately following Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Tony's memory to: Catholic Daughters of America Court St. Rita #2610, Prayer Blanket Ministry. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Tony Paul Santos

August 24, 1934 - June 6, 2025