My condolences to all his family... this man changed me from a lost student to a educated and responsible one. he gave me attention and saw something other teachers dint. I learned responsibility in his class. graphic arts! He showed me how to run his baby (his offset roller) .. he trusted in me to stay after school to learn to use the big offset print roller.... could of loss a hand or finger but he educated me... he would give me feedback and was a serious man but I once made him smile when I printed a set of images for my family.... I always talk about him and my family speaks highly of him..... may he rest in paradise bcx he's a true guardian angel... thank you Mr. Santos... Manual arts high class of 2003...

R.I.P John Santos. For some reason I decided to see what Mr. Santos was  up to, only to discover he has moved on. I worked with John for a few years at Manual Arts High School in the after school program.  John did great things here and had a positive impact on many lives and always had a smile to give. My condolences to the family.

The Villarreal-Lau family is on travel out of state and regrets that we will be unable to attend John Santos’ Memorial Service. We believe that John Santos sincerely did all the work with his whole heart. We will truly miss his cheerful smile. May he rest in peace.
Quotes In Memory of John Santos:
“A fact of life we all die. But the positive impact you have on others will be a living legacy.”  –Catherine Pulsifer
“We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever; the goal is to create something that will.” – Chuck Palahniuk.    
“A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.” – Maya Angelou
“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.” – Thomas Campbell
“Death is nothing else but going home to God, the bond of love will be unbroken for all eternity.” – Mother Teresa
Sincerely with Love and Admiration 
The Villarreal Lau Family




May 23, 2007 - USC Banquet Fresh Flower Centerpieces - Engineering Design 
Day-3: Mrs. Villarreal (RIP 2020) accompanied Clara to tutor or donate any materials needed to complete any project John had proposed, i.e., USC banquet fresh flower centerpieces that reflected a high-tech Engineering Design.


May 21, 2007 – Mothers’ Day Engineering Design Manual Arts High School  
Day-1:  Mrs. Villarreal (RIP 2020) accompanied Clara to tutor or donate any materials needed to complete any project John had proposed, i.e., Mothers’ Day fresh flower centerpieces that reflected a high-tech Engineering Design.





Celebrating John Santos’s Life
We, the Villarreal-Lau Family (Nelson, Clara, and our children Perlin and Dr. Jensen Lau) are out of state and will not be able to attend John Santos’ Memorial Service.
 My son Dr. Jensen Lau has provided the memorial service with numerous pictures in a slide show of some of John Santos’ activities.
Our multi-generational family had known and worked closely with John Santos since 2005. My engineering oriented family  and cheerleaders for John Santos made themselves available whenever John Santos called. 1) My father-in-law, Mr. See-Gue (RIP 2020) never missed an opportunity to cheer on all the competitors in the annual competitions at Manual Arts even though he only spoke Mandarin, Cantonese, and Shanghai-nese, (2) my mother, Mrs. Villarreal (RIP 2020) accompanied me to tutor or donate any materials needed to complete any project John had proposed, i.e. USC banquet fresh flower centerpieces that reflected a high tech Engineering Design, (3) my husband, Nelson Lau, a Senior Engineer from JPL /Aerospace, and has a Lifetime Teaching Credential, (4) my daughter, Perlin Lau with a degree in Electrical Engineering (UCI) and Masters in Business Accounting (CSUF), (5) my son, Dr. Jensen Lau, with a degree in Materials Engineering (UC Berkeley), a Masters in Chemistry (CSULA), a DDS Dental degree ( UCLA), and professional photographer of events at Manual Arts, (6) I, Clara V. Lau, Master of Public Admin & Finance (USC), and a Teaching Credential, Principal Financial Analyst who celebrated 25 yrs with Raytheon, celebrated 29 yrs with Boeing, retired and worked for Northrop. And was active in different activities (HISNET Scholarship Fundraisers, Master of Ceremonies for Raytheon’s Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Chairperson for Raytheon’s Management Club Scholarship Committee 2006), Dinner Host for John Santos’ team of students at our home in Walnut for the opportunity for them to socialize and to ask questions on anything they wanted to discus

Celebrating John Santos’s Life
We, the Villarreal-Lau Family (Nelson, Clara, and our children Perlin and Dr. Jensen Lau) are out of state and will not be able to attend John Santos’ Memorial Service.
 My son Dr. Jensen Lau has provided the memorial service with numerous pictures in a slide show of some of John Santos’ activities.
Our multi-generational family had known and worked closely with John Santos since 2005. My engineering oriented family  and cheerleaders for John Santos made themselves available whenever John Santos called. 1) My father-in-law, Mr. See-Gue (RIP 2020) never missed an opportunity to cheer on all the competitors in the annual competitions at Manual Arts even though he only spoke Mandarin, Cantonese, and Shanghai-nese, (2) my mother, Mrs. Villarreal (RIP 2020) accompanied me to tutor or donate any materials needed to complete any project John had proposed, i.e. USC banquet fresh flower centerpieces that reflected a high tech Engineering Design, (3) my husband, Nelson Lau, a Senior Engineer from JPL /Aerospace, and has a Lifetime Teaching Credential, (4) my daughter, Perlin Lau with a degree in Electrical Engineering (UCI) and Masters in Business Accounting (CSUF), (5) my son, Dr. Jensen Lau, with a degree in Materials Engineering (UC Berkeley), a Masters in Chemistry (CSULA), a DDS Dental degree ( UCLA), and professional photographer of events at Manual Arts, (6) I, Clara V. Lau, Master of Public Admin & Finance (USC), and a Teaching Credential, Principal Financial Analyst who celebrated 25 yrs with Raytheon, celebrated 29 yrs with Boeing, retired and worked for Northrop. And was active in different activities (HISNET Scholarship Fundraisers, Master of Ceremonies for Raytheon’s Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Chairperson for Raytheon’s Management Club Scholarship Committee 2006), Dinner Host for John Santos’ team of students at our home in Walnut for the opportunity for them to socialize and to ask questions on a

Clara Villarreal-Lau Family

As always, John Santos was a catalyst. He called my family and mentioned that there was a shortage of business suits for the students to dress up for interviews. At the time one or two suit jackets were rotated among the students who had an interview that same day. My family contacted a longtime acquaintance Jose Silva (RIP) and a number of Engineers from Aerospace, Raytheon, Northrop, and Boeing El Segundo requesting nice suites that they no longer wore because the dress code in most companies had reduced the suit requirements for more casual wear. 

John was always deeply concerned about his students’ future. He asked my family and other professionals to speak to his students on helpful educational or career insights. We recommended work experience related to their degree before completing their degree. Yes, this could be difficult; however, work experience could lead to immediate greater job opportunities.  Anything that is worthwhile is worth struggling to obtain. We recommended that they apply for a summer Rotational program/internship by the end of their sophomore or junior year before graduating with their college degree. Start immediately on building up a resume. Once on the internship or fulltime job, a person has to “focus, focus, and focus” and give 100% to the job.

Clara Villarreal Family

John Santos was the Pipe Piper of Engineers. When, I became involved in Boeing Long Beach activities I invited and introduced Mina and John Santos, to Boeing Long Beach. John Santos immediately recognized the wonderful engineering talent and invited to join Manual Arts activities.  

John Santos was always opening up paths to Engineering Mentors for his students
When I worked for Northrop, John Santos asked if I would introduce him to Northrop’s Engineering VP. I made a point of personally meeting him myself so that I could make this connection in time for John’s next Annual Engineering competition held at Manual Arts High School. Northrop Management and engineers attended the event and spoke to the students as they stopped to visit Northrop’s Welcoming Table. 

Clara Villarreal-Lau Family


My condolences to John’s family.  I was a colleague of John’s back in the day at Manual starting in 1999.  I worked with him for the first 11 years of my career and now in my 22nd year of teaching I can say I have never met anyone who worked harder for his students.  

I can still remember his excitement for the First USA Robotics competition announcement.  He and his students would get together at 6:00am on Saturday to hear what that year’s competition was about so they could start strategizing.  That was typical for John when I knew him, incredibly high expectations of his students and total dedication to their success.  

He will be missed but his memory will live on, in all the lives he touched and changed.  I hope all of his present and former colleagues remember the example he set for us and never forget “it’s all about the kids.”   May he Rest In Peace.

Thank you for educating our future workforce. You will be missed.
- PIASC

So sorry for your loss, Familia Santos. May John’s passion & zest for life continue to fuel all of you & his legacy will live on. 🙏🏼

There is a favorite memory I’d like to share.  In gratitude to Maestro Santos, Manual Arts High School was a community I was a part of 1997-2009 as a volunteer during my tenure with The Boeing Company.  Blessed to be able to spread some love, positivity, and cheers.  All of that culminated a cool opportunity to put me exactly where I could be of value —something so special that I cared about — mentoring the students!  I will always remember his high standards and passionate dedication to the underrepresented youth.  

In Loving Memory, thank you John. ✝️

Mina Martínez 



John was a wonderful teacher.  It is easy to see why he was chosen as an Outstanding Teacher of America by the Carlston Family Foundation.  I was always amazed by how hard he worked to get grants so that he could do great projects with his students. I will miss seeing John at the annual Symposium in Mill Valley, CA.  

John was a shining light, especially to the students who needed him the most. Thank you, John, for leading by example. 

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of John. We were MESA competitors, colleagues, Carlston winnners and friends. He was always willing to lend a hand, listen to ideas and share input on how to improve. His drive will be missed, his enthusiam for the students will be missed, but most of all we will miss him. 

My deepest sympathies go out to John's family, students and friends May God give you all the peace that you seek and may my condolences bring you comfort and my prayers ease the pain of your loss. I send you my thoughts, prayers and well-wishes during this dark time in our life. May John Rest in Paradise. John's legacy will live on, we will continue to support his initiatives and programs , as he said, "it's for the kids".  Dios lo tenga en su Santa Gloria. 

John Santos made a really big impact in my life. I met him in ninth grade in 2001 at Manual Arts where he became a mentor of sorts and in 10th grade he became one of my teachers. I was a very angry teen who didn’t think there was much to me in terms of schooling. He made me see differently. He showed me I was smart and that I was capable of many things. We would argue all the time about many different things, the main one being country music, I would eventually give in and like it as well. Later on I would bump into him at Cal State LA where he would teach a class at night. We would hang out for a bit before our classes and reminisce of the old days… I am going to miss him. I can’t put into words exactly what he did for me, but I know he changed my life.

OBITUARY

John Santos

March 25, 1958 – March 24, 2022

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services