SPCO Peter S. 'Pete' Santiago, Jr. USN, Ret, passed away at 12:18 a.m. Thursday, July 9, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mount Vernon after an illness.
Pete was born December 25, 1936 in Honolulu, Hawaii to the late Peter Santiago, Sr. and Dominga Salsedo Santiago and had lived in Joplin since 1970.
He was a 31 year veteran of the United States Navy, where he was awarded various medals and citations, including the Navy Achievement Medal; Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal and the Small Arms Sharpshooter. He was a strong proponent for minority rights and fought for equality during his entire military career.
Following his retirement, he worked seven years helping veterans find jobs and the Joplin Job Service. He was a past president of South Joplin Lions Club and was of the Catholic faith.
In his spare time, Pete enjoyed the outdoors by gardening, fishing and taking walks with his wife, Linda.
Pete is survived by his wife of 54 years, the former Linda Childers. He is also survived by two daughters, Nita Santiago Dunbar and her husband, Robert, Jr., Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Leah Santiago Overstreet and her husband, Rodney, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; two granddaughters, Hannah Overstreet, Lindsey Overstreet; siblings, Daniel Santiago and his wife, Karol, Antioch, California, Raymond Santiago, Yakima, Washington, Dorothy Santiago Phelps and her husband, Noel, Las Vegas, Nevada, Jennie Santiago Blue, Las Vegas, Nevada; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family members.
In addition to his parents, Pete was preceded in death by a brother, Nicholas Santiago.
Services are planned for Friday at 2:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary Chapel. Interment with full military honors will follow in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 7-8:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to the D.A.V., in care of Parker Mortuary.
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