Santiago Diego Martinez, a lifelong resident of Lubbock, passed away on Saturday November 4, 2023, at the age of 24. He was born on June 17, 1999, in Lubbock Texas. Santiago began working for Walmart in the electronics department and worked his way up to becoming a team leader. Santiago was a world of colors who dabbled in many things. He had a talent for working on cars and getting them all fixed up. Santiago was a very smart young man and when it came to finances, he surpassed all expectations for budgeting for someone his age. He created spreadsheets to budget that would most definitely make an accountant smile. Santiago loved spending time with his sister, momma, family, and friends. He also always embraced the uniqueness in anyone he met. He was the family IT guy and came to his mom's rescue in many electronic set up issues. He took great care of and loved his fur babies. Santiago had a style like no other, he loved wearing suits and making people smile, he had the greatest smile himself. Santiago will forever be the "World's Best Hugger"!

Those left to cherish his memory are his mother Pamela Avila Torres, step dad, Adam Torres, and his dad, Crispin Martinez; fur babies, Bunny, his cat and Koda-Beau, his dog; siblings, Xavier D. Martinez, and Mercedes Torres, all of Lubbock; half-sisters, Estella Martinez, of Slaton, and Aprille Martinez of Pecos; nephew Aiden Martinez;  grandparents, Diana Avila, Carmen Martinez, Hilarido and Mary Torres; great grandfather, Adan Avila, and several extended family members and friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 20, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at House of Angels Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Lubbock Dream Center with burial to follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.