James R. Santa Ana

BROWNSVILLE, TX. – James R. Santa Ana left us on Monday, the 1st of July 2024 at the age of 73. He was surrounded by his family in his final moments after having endured a long battle with cancer. 

He was a man of immense humor and wisdom who cherished his family above all. Strong in the Catholic faith, his honesty, humility, integrity, and generosity made every encounter with him memorable. He loved to barbecue and smoke meats, sharing with family, neighbors, and coworkers. He especially enjoyed listening to music of eclectic taste – country, rock, mariachi. His other passions included landscaping and caring for his yard, so much so that he often took care of the neighbors’ lawns. He was meticulous in all endeavors, which included building fences, bird houses, and all things that needed fixing in our home and family members’ homes. 

Jim served in the United States Air Force. As a Sergeant, his duties included being a jet engine mechanic who served our country during the Vietnam War. He was stationed around Cam Rahn Air Force Base in South Vietnam. He especially enjoyed his military license to turn on and drive the jets on the base. Jim became a disabled veteran after it was determined that the cause of his multiple cancers was due to his exposure to Agent Orange, an herbicide used as a defoliant for tactical warfare, while serving in South Vietnam. 

Jim’s professional career included working as a Chemical Operator for Union Carbide Corporation at the Port of Brownsville where he met the love of his life, Yvonne. Shortly after his marriage to Yvonne he began his career with the United States Postal Service in Harlingen as a mail carrier. He advanced to postal clerk, postal supervisor and ultimately as U.S. Postmaster at the Port Isabel and South Padre Island offices. 

Preceding Jim in death were his paternal grandparents, Luz A. and Guadalupe R. Santa Ana of Brownsville; maternal grandparents, Harry and Bettye Theuerkauf of Indiana; his parents, Alfonso R. and Bettye Santa Ana of Brownsville; his uncle and aunt, Raymond and Aurora Fernandez of Brownsville; his uncle, Raul Santa Ana of South Carolina; his uncle, Dordon Le Beouf of Brownsville; his in-laws, Martin R. and Connie Munoz; his brother-in-law, Gerard Munoz; his niece, Megan R. Munoz of Corpus Christi; and his nephew, Jeremy Steverson of Gretna, Louisiana. 

Left to honor and cherish Jim’s memory are his wife of 41 years, Yvonne M. Santa Ana; his sons, Ryan Matthew Santa Ana (Celeste) of Brownsville and Todd Christian Santa Ana of Corpus Christi; his loving grandchildren who brought him so much joy, Martha Ximena and James Ryan Santa Ana; his siblings, Al Santa Ana, Jr. (Ellie), Joyce A. Van Nattan (Larry) of Slidell, Louisiana, and Janet K. Santa Ana of Brownsville, Texas; his brother-in-law, Martin Muñoz III and sister in law, Benita Muñoz, both from Corpus Christi; his maternal aunt, Peggy Archuletta (Delano) of Nevada; his paternal aunts, Mireya S. Le Beouf of Brownsville and Sue Santa Ana of North Carolina; his nephews and nieces, Neil Santa Ana (Jennifer) and Curtis Santa Ana (Sally) of Frisco, Texas; Jessica Flowers (Keith) of Mississippi; Liz Borja (Paulo) of Illinois; and Jennifer Torres (Ric) of San Antonio, Texas. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

Visiting Hour with the family will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1914 Barnard Road, Brownsville, on Tuesday, the 9th of July 2024 between three and four o’clock in the afternoon, with military honors and a recitation of the holy rosary to follow. The Memorial Mass will be celebrated at five o’clock in the afternoon.

Inurnment will be held at ten o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 10th of July 2024 at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery, 2520 Inspiration Road, Mission, Texas 78572.

In lieu of floral arrangements and customary remembrances, the family requests contributions to your favorite charity of choice as Jim often donated and supported numerous causes. 

Memories of Jim may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com. 

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.