Philip V. M. Santos

Philip V. M. Santos, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2026, surrounded by his cherished family, after a brief illness. Born on July 25, 1940, in Hanford, CA, Philip was the son of Valdemar Santos and Maryanne Martha Santos (Sekulic), who predeceased him. Philip's life was a tapestry of rich experiences, love, and dedication. In 1962, he married the love of his life, Jesslyn C. Phelps, in Tulare, CA. Together, they built a beautiful family, welcoming their daughter, Nicole, in 1967, and their son, Brent, in 1971. Philip's devotion to Jehovah and his family was unwavering, and he found immense joy in watching his children grow and thrive. He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Jesslyn, his daughter Nicole Ceballos and her husband Tim, his son Brent Santos and his wife Jennifer, and his treasured grandchildren, Brynn and Bren Evan Santos. Philip's journey of service began with the National Guard, as an artillery and radar operator, where he served from 1962 to 1968. He earned a badge as sharpshooter and held rank as an E5 Sargent. Concurrently he pursued his passion for engineering, earning an Associate degree in Electrical Engineering, from The College of San Mateo. Philip began his career at Western Electric as an Associate Engineer, but with the birth of his daughter, he chose to return to Tulare, CA, to work in the family business, C. P. Phelps, Inc., acting as President after his father-n-law's death since 1980. He worked along side his brother-in-law, Roger Phelps, who was the Vice President, until their retirement in 2019. A man of many interests, Philip had a deep love for Jehovah, serving as an elder in the congregation for many years. He also had a passion for gardening, creating stunning landscapes at each of their homes. He was an avid sailor and enjoyed camping adventures with his young family, even embracing the thrill of snowmobiling and downhill skiing during winter months. Together with Jesslyn, Philip explored the beauty of Sedona, AZ, annually and frequently visited Avila Beach. Their travels by car across the U.S. when they were younger are fondly remembered by the family. Known for his storytelling and humor, Philip's warmth and kindness touched everyone he met. His selflessness and concern for others were hallmarks of his character, and he was deeply loved by family and friends alike. A service to celebrate Philip's life will be held at 1:30 PM at the Kingdom Of Jehovah's Witnesses, located at Caldwell, Visalia, CA. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff of the 2nd Floor, North Wing of Kaweah Delta Hospital for their attentive care during Philip's final days. Philip's legacy of love, laughter, and kindness will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him.