Obituary for Santiago Lopez III
Santiago López III passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on Oct 3, 2021. He was born in Laredo, Texas on June 29, 1946 to Esther and Santiago López II. At the age of seventeen, he moved to Houston to attend the University of Houston, where he earned a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Fine Arts. He was a compassionate, intellectual spirit who was always ready to give a helping hand to family members in need.
After a brief stint writing curriculum in Crystal City during the Raza Unida takeover, Santiago planted roots in the Oak Cliff neighborhood in Dallas, where he lived and taught art to elementary students for more than forty years. A professional artist in his own right, his artwork was showcased in places from the Dallas Museum of Art to the Oak Cliff Cultural Center. He inspired generations of students, was well respected by colleagues, and was a pillar of his community. He was both a man of the people, and a man of the world. He is survived by his partner Gary Myrick, his sister Nora López, his brother Eduardo López Sr., six nieces and nephews, and several grandnieces and grandnephews.
After a brief stint writing curriculum in Crystal City during the Raza Unida takeover, Santiago planted roots in the Oak Cliff neighborhood in Dallas, where he lived and taught art to elementary students for more than forty years. A professional artist in his own right, his artwork was showcased in places from the Dallas Museum of Art to the Oak Cliff Cultural Center. He inspired generations of students, was well respected by colleagues, and was a pillar of his community. He was both a man of the people, and a man of the world. He is survived by his partner Gary Myrick, his sister Nora López, his brother Eduardo López Sr., six nieces and nephews, and several grandnieces and grandnephews.