Domingo Drumond Santos
October 3, 1936 – May 22, 2024.

Domingo Santos passed away peacefully in Eureka at the age of 87. Domingo was born in Arcata to Manuel and Maria Santos, who immigrated to America from Sao Sebastiao, Terceira, Azores, Portugal.

Born into a long legacy of dairy ranchers, Domingo began working with his father on the original family ranch on Jackson Road in Arcata at an early age and ultimately took over the Santos dairy operations in 1968. Under Domingo’s leadership, he established the Windy Acres brand, expanded the size of the family ranch, automated the milking processes, and grew the family dairy operation to peak levels that allowed the dairy to process 400 milk cows a day by the end of 2022. Domingo also owned and operated Ag Sales, the local Massey Ferguson franchise and agricultural equipment and supply store in Arcata. Domingo loved his cows and his work, and he could always be found at the ranch, near the milk barn, or on a tractor and out in the fields tending to his cows. Throughout his life, Domingo loved and supported his family and maintained deep friendships and business relationships within the Portuguese community and local ranching circles.

Domingo graduated from Arcata High School in 1954. He married JoAnne Roberts from Arcata in 1957 and they had two sons. In 1963 he married his lifelong partner, Mary Santos, who preceded him in death in 2015, and they had one son.

Domingo is survived by his sister, Irene Grossman, his three sons Rick Santos, Brett Santos, and Randy Santos, his four stepdaughters, Karen Mann, Sharon Martin, Lorelei Woods, and Kristina Plisik, and 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

All are invited to join a Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Arcata on Friday July 19 at 11 a.m., and to come together and share their memories with family and friends in a celebration of life luncheon at the Portuguese Hall in Arcata following the Mass.

In lieu of sending flowers, the family requests that charitable donations be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the local Portuguese Hall, or a charitable organization of their choice in the name of Domingo Santos.

###

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Domingo Santos’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.