Raul Santa Ana Obituary

Raul Santa Ana CHARLOTTE, NC - Raul Santa Ana peacefully passed away Friday, November 3rd, 2023, at the age of 94 surrounded by his loving family. Raul epitomized honor, respect, loyalty, friendship, and love which he freely gave to everyone he met. Raul was born on October 22, 1929, in Brownsville, Texas, as the third of four siblings. He grew up as part of a large extended family and often spoke of gatherings with them, working in his father's general store, and going to the movies to see newsreels. After high school, he enlisted into the Air Force in 1948 beginning a lifetime of service to his country and his family. During his 26 years in the Air Force, he served in many different capacities and locations. He served during the Korean conflict and did one tour in Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat zone. After Vietnam, he was stationed in Charleston, SC, where he lived for the next 50 years until moving to Charlotte, NC, in 2021. After retiring from the Air Force in 1975, Raul began a 24-year career in Civil Service. He retired for good in 1998 after 50 years of service to his country. Raul was defined by his loving, serving, and quick-witted nature, and he never met a stranger. He married the love of his life, "his girl", Sue, in 1958 and spent the next 65 years devoting himself to career, wife, family and God. During that time, he and Sue raised two sons and had six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was an avid golfer and pitmaster. He loved music, dancing and cheering for the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Longhorns and was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Raul was also a man of faith and longtime member of the Summerville Church of Christ. He was at his core a true "family man" who loved serving, caring for and bragging about his family. He was thoughtful, intentional, loving, caring, a great listener and above all present. More than anything, he always put others first, always saw the good in people, and took amazing care of "his girl" throughout many sick times. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Thelma Sue Santa Ana; two sons, Steve (Kathy) of Charlotte, NC, and Scott (Lisa) of Lawrenceville, GA; six grandchildren, Alyssa Fuqua (Leighton), Sarah Grace Tidwell (Evan), Stephanie Santa Ana, Steven Santa Ana (Carrigan), Ryan Santa Ana (Ellen), and Matthew Santa Ana (Nanda); and his sister, Mireya LeBeouf of Brownsville, TX. He was preceded in death by a sister, Aurora Fernandez, and a brother, Alfonso Santa Ana. Raul will be laid to rest in a public interment ceremony with military honors at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia, SC, on Wednesday November 8th, 2023, at 12:00 noon. For those wishing to send memorial gifts, please consider the Summerville Church of Christ Mission Fund or Wounded Warriors. Condolences may be offered at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com.