Tyrone Santos

Tyrone Pepito Santos , age 53 of Athens, Tn transitioned to his heavenly home on Thursday January 6, 2022. He was born January 7, 1968 in Bronx, New York. He grew up in the Bronx where he graduated from Yonkers High School. He entered into the United States Army in 1987 at the age of 19 where he served our country for 3 years and fought in Desert Storm.

Tyrone was a member of Real Life Christian Ministries for many years where he served as an Armor Bearer to Apostle James Thomas. He also was a member of the Praise and Worship Team.

Tyrone was devoted to his family, friends, and community. He coached little league football for 9 years with Rogers Creek, Riceville, and finally the Athens Hawks. Tyrone then moved on to help with the McMinn County High School football program for 4 years.
He was well known for his ability to hype the team up and make every single player believe in themselves. He loved his players like they were his own sons.
Tyrone was a Sales Representative at Clayton Homes in Athens for 7 years where he built many lifelong relationships with residents of the area.

Tyrone is preceded in death by his father, Julio Rosario Santos United States WWII Veteran, and siblings, Aristides Santos, Sonia Santos, Tulio Santos, and Dawn Santos.

Left behind to cherish his memories are his mother Dominga Santos of New York, twin brother Jerome Santos of Florida,  twin sisters Joanne Santos and Suzanna Santos of New York and older sister Yamil Borges of Germany. His wife of 18 years Tiekiesha Sharp-Santos of Athens, daughter Cierra Graham of Atlanta, son Tra Upton (Jessica) of Cleveland, daughter Taloria Robinson of Athens, son Julion Santos of Athens, daughter Te’Kari Santos of Chattanooga, daughter Kierra Neeley (Chandler) of Athens, daughter Nataziona Nelson of Cleveland. Grandchildren Tra Tra, Kizah, Londyn, Bella, Mayson, Cayla, and Aiden.
Many nieces and nephews including but not limited to Kalim Ellison (Tara), Jerry Jr., Jalen Sharp, Jada Sharp, Jacob Sharp, Donovan Daniel, Ceasar Thomas, Siarah Thomas, Alexis Thomas, Alyssah Thomas, Aleigha Thomas, Sydney Thomas, and Christian Thomas. A handful of brother and sister in laws and many more members of extended family.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday January 19, 2022 at M.D. Dotson and Sons funeral home in Athens, Tn at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Ruth Thomas officiating. Interment will follow after the service at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Knoxville Tennessee. There will be a walk through visitation of friends from 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. also on Wednesday at the funeral home.  Implementation of COVID-19 guidelines will be in affect,  social distancing will be observed, and all that attend must wear a mask.