John Santillanes

SPOKANE, WA - John Santillanes, Sr, former longtime Pocatello resident, passed away on August 6, 2008, in Spokane, Washington, after a short illness. John was born on September 3, 1926 in Lemitar, New Mexico, to Jose Ignacio Santillanes and Francisca Silva. He spent his childhood in New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, Idaho and Oregon. John served during World War II in the Pacific Theater in the United States Army. After discharge from the Army, John returned to Oregon where he met his wife, Elaine Gallegos. They were married on November 7, 1948 and celebrated 56 years of marriage before she died on February 13, 2005. John moved with his wife and family to Pocatello in June, 1957, where he began his career with FMC Corporation, retiring in 1989. He and his wife raised six children in Pocatello. John loved fishing, bowling, playing cards and pool, watching any kind of sports on TV and, most of all, making music with his family and friends. In 2007, at the age of 80, he played softball with a senior league in Spokane. He was the oldest member of the league. We miss you Dad. John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Elaine, son, James, brother, Valentin, and son-in-law, Dee Pollard. He is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Maria Santillanes, and his children, Philip of Pocatello, Linda Hawkins (Connie) of Denver, CO, John, Jr. (Rita) of Spokane WA, Timothy (Dianna) of Pocatello, Teresa Briggs (Steve) of Coeur d