Santiago Cisneros, Jr.

Santiago Cisneros, Jr., 81, of Idaho Falls, passed away peacefully March 30, 2023, at his home with family by his side. The family would like to thank the team at Enhabit Home Health & Hospice for their caring guidance and skills.

Santiago is affectionately called “Chio” by his loved ones. He was born March 7, 1942, in Monterrey, Mexico, to Santiago Cisneros, Sr. and Maria del Carmen Diaz Cisneros. At the age of 14, Santiago and his family immigrated to the United States where lawful admission for permanent residency was granted in 1956 at Laredo, Texas. The family eventually settled in San Gabriel, California, where Santiago completed high school. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving tours during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1965 as a paratrooper. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant (E-5). After his military service, he attended Long Beach City College where he studied radiological technology and the University of New Mexico where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. Santiago worked as an Electrical Engineer at the Idaho National Laboratory for over 20 years.

On May 2, 1970, he married Antoinette Paz in Las Vegas, Nevada. Together, they had five children. They would later divorce and he relocated to Portland, Oregon.

Santiago was a dedicated member of the Spanish Congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Being a Jehovah’s Witness gave him a hope and peace in making sense of the world we live in. He loved learning languages, solving problems and puzzles with his engineering mind, and reading, especially history. He had a creative side and enjoyed drawing. He appreciated art in many forms. He loved to find a good deal, especially while thrifting. He enjoyed a good meal and visiting with family and friends. He had the best sense of humor! He was great at telling jokes and making his kids laugh (most of the time by comedy roasting them). His children have many loving memories of this.

Santiago is survived by four of his children that he referred to as mija or mijo: Cynthia (Michael Callaghan) Sandoval of Idaho Falls, ID, Christina Cisneros of Idaho Falls, ID, Diego (Leandra) Cisneros of San Diego, CA, and Antonio Cisneros of Portland, OR; siblings, Teresa Oliver of Anaheim, CA, Lorenzo Cisneros of Monterrey, Mexico, Pilar Carrera of Huntington Beach, CA, Lupe Ferrari of Huntington Beach, CA, and Pablo Cisneros Diaz of Monterrey, Mexico; and one grandchild, Soleil (Josh) Lamp.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Juan Cisneros; sister, Amy Kahler; son, Hago Cisneros, III; and granddaughter, Morrissey Carley.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue. The family will visit with friends from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in the Willamette National Cemetery.