Dennis Ruben Morelos
It is with deep sorrow and eternal love that our beloved brother peacefully passed away on May 21st, 2025 in Santa Barbara, California.
Born on June 8, 1949, Dennis was a proud native son of Santa Barbara. He was the beloved fourth of fourteen children born to the late Jesus and Mildred Morelos, who instilled in him the values of family, faith, and hard work.
Dennis also lived a time with his aunt and uncle Marie and Jesus Reynoso.
Dennis attended Dolores School and graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1968. A true Don through and through — Once a Don, Always a Don. After graduation, Dennis answered the call to serve his country and proudly joined the United States Navy in 1968 and spent the next 4 ½ years in Yokosuka, Japan.
Fate and love brought Soledad Morelos (Ramirez) into Dennis’s life, and together they began a beautiful journey, marrying on October 13, 2001. Their union was a shining example of devotion, laughter, and strength.
Dennis built a solid life with hard work and perseverance. He worked at Sasso Grain and Feed, eventually becoming part owner, before transitioning to the oil industry where he found his professional home at Venoco, dedicating over 30 years to the company.
Outside of work, Dennis found joy in traveling, cherishing the opportunity to experience the world and share adventures with loved ones. He was a member of the Santa Barbara Elks Lodge and The American Legion. He also volunteered at the Braille Institute. He was a man of quiet wisdom, generous spirit, and fierce loyalty to his family and community. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Jesus and Mildred Morelos, his beloved wife, Soledad, and siblings Lionel, David, Carolyn, and Raul.
He is lovingly survived by his siblings: Yolanda, Ricardo, Mildred, Linda, Dolores, Augustine, Joel, Raphael, and Cathleen, as well as by countless nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, godchildren, and dear friends who were blessed by his presence in their lives.
The Morelos family extends heartfelt gratitude to all who offered prayers, encouragement, and unwavering support during Dennis’s final days. Your kindness has been a source of comfort and strength.
A Memorial Mass will be held on July 11, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery. A reception will follow at The Timbers 10 Winchester Canyon Rd, Goleta, CA 93117.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to any of the following organizations that touched Dennis’s life: Serenity House, Ridley Tree Cancer Center, Santa Barbara High School Alumni Association, and/or UC Santa Barbara-Koegel Autism Center .
Though Dennis may be gone from our sight, he remains forever in our hearts. His legacy of love, loyalty, and laughter lives on in every life he touched.
