Mr. Santos Sotelo, Jr., age 56, of Dalton, Georgia, passed away Saturday morning, August 9, 2025, at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia. He died from long-term complications of diabetes. Santos loved his family deeply, missed them every day, and they live with the hope of being reunited with him again one day.

Santos was born on February 29, 1969, in Clovis, New Mexico — a Leap Year baby. His family often kidded him that he was really only 14 years old, and he took that joke with warmth and humor throughout his life. He was a son of the late Santos Sotelo, Sr., and Maria Cruz Sotelo. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Jorge Sotelo and Jesus Sotelo, as well as his brother-in-law, Victor Salazar.

Santos worked for several years at Los Pablo's Restaurant and was a member of Saint Joseph's Catholic Church. He will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his loyalty to his loved ones, and his enduring faith.

He is survived by his children, Candace Sotelo Rodriguez and Tony Mitchell; his beloved grandchildren, Ariana Mitchell, Noah Hayden, and Nate Hayden; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Emma and Carlos Sierra, Yolanda and Hilario Hurtado, Sara Moss and Alex Lopez, Blanca and Robert Soto, Olivia Salazar, Marie and Dennis Hill, Oralia and Esteban Santamaria, and Alma Sotelo; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Francisco Sotelo, Tony and Andrea Sotelo, and Vicky Sotelo; and numerous nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church with Father Ignacio Peres officiating. Santos will be laid to rest with his family at Ponders Colonial Hills Memorial Park Cemetery and Mausoleum. Serving as pallbearers will be Francisco Sotelo, Angel Lopez, Ryan Thomas, Justin Thomas, Johnny Sotelo, Miguel Santamaria, Jorge Santamaria, and Oshea Hill.

The family will receive friends at Ponders Melrose Chapel on Wednesday and Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. The Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening.

Click here to view the funeral for Mr. Santos Sotelo.

Arrangements are by Ponders Melrose Chapel, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton, GA 30721, 706-226-4002 .
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