Santos S. Garza, also known as “Don Santos” or “Father of San Felipe schools,” was born Nov. 2, 1881 in either Piedras Negras or Eagle Pass. He came to Del Rio in 1898 where he owned numerous businesses including a theater, general store, dairy, ranch and bar. He married Jesusita Menchaca Galindo on Jan. 3, 1901, and they had five children and adopted a sixth. Garza was a civic leader who is best remembered for preventing the annexation of the San Felipe area by Del Rio Independent School District in 1928, allowing his community greater control of its schools, and for his leadership in the movement towards creating the San Felipe I.S.D. on Aug. 21, 1929. Garza died Jul. 25, 1936.

​The San Felipe Exes with some VVCHC members dedicated the Santos S. Garza historical marker on November 2, 2012 at the annual meeting.
Attending the dedication are (from left to right) Armando Garcia, Jr., Jenny Garcia, Mary Ann Zepeda, Fred Vasquez, Gloria Paredes, Clem Vasquez, Danny Chavira, [person #8], Lupe De Hoyos, [person #10], Maria Elena Ramirez, Mario Garcia, Jo Elda Perez (granddaughter of SSG), Ramiro Ramon (President of the Exes), Dolly Calderon (granddaughter of SSG), Oralia Galindo, Tina Martinez, Mary Ann Gonzalez, Mae Pierce (VVCHC member), Irma Juarez, Arturo Rocha, Dolores Tanaka, Elisa Cruz, Dora Sanchez, Eloy Barrera, Mary Ramirez.
[Editor's note: I am still working on the names for all of the attendees. If you are in the picture, or know someone who is, please email us a name or a correct spelling of a name. Thank you.