Sunrise April 5, 1949 - Sunset February 24, 2018 Santiago grew up in Laredo, Texas and joined the United States Army after high school. He enlisted with the 1st Infantry Division, where he bravely served in the Vietnam War from January 1969 to January 1970. He spent the next nineteen years serving with the 902nd Military Intelligence Group and served his country honorably, carrying the rank of Sergeant First Class upon his retirement. After his retirement from the Army, Santiago joined the U.S. Customs Service as a Customs Officer. He received many awards and promotions during his tenure with his Government Service. He retired from Customs and Border Protection in April of 2011 as a Supervisory Mission Support Specialist. Sam passed away on February 24, 2018 after an illness at the Heart Hospital in Plano, Texas surrounded by his beloved family. He was a devoted husband to his wife Lilia (Lilo). An amazing father to his children Melissa (Lance) Williams and Sammy (Jenny) Menchaca. A loving grandfather (Papo) to Jasmine and Joaquin Menchaca. He was the cherished brother of Frank (Carmen) Menchaca, Vicente (Natalia) Menchaca, Matias (Dora) Menchaca, and Arturo (Sylvia) Menchaca. Sam was a thoughtful and caring uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. Sam's ashes will be interred at the Dallas National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway; Dallas, Texas on Friday, March 16, 2018 at 10:15AM with full honors. Mrs. Lilia Menchaca and family would like to invite you to celebrate Sam's life with a memorial at Aria Cremation and Funeral Home, 1820 North Beltline Road, Irving, Texas. Please send the family condolences and sign the guestbook on this site. Arrangements are under the direction of: Aria Cremation Service & Funeral Home 1820 N. Belt Line Road Irving, Texas 75061 972-607-4400