Ltc Arnoldo Cantu Sr.Ret.Usaf

LTC ARNOLDO CANTU, SR. USAF RET.

SAN JUAN - Arnoldo Cantu, Sr., 87, died Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen after a lengthy illness.

Arnoldo Sr., was born in San Juan to Esteban and Piedad Cantu. He attended PSJA schools and graduated from PSJA High School. He would later attend Edinburg Jr. College. He volunteered for the Army and later transferred to the United States Air Force. He was stationed in England and proudly served in the Battle of the Bulge.

Upon his return to the United States, he enrolled and attended the University of Texas at Austin. While a student at UT Austin, he was a member of the ROTC, and was recalled back into the military service during the Korean Conflict. For over 20 years, he proudly served the Air Force and his country retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Arnoldo was one of the first graduates of Pan American College. During the summers, he worked for the Texas Employment Commission placing people in different jobs. He was a strong advocate for education. Arnoldo continued his pursuit of his education by attending Sam Houston State University where he received his Master's Degree.

After obtaining his degree he joined the Pharr San Juan Alamo School District. For 35 years he served as a teacher, an Adult Basic Education Teacher, Director of Adult Basic Education and finally Director of Community Education. Arnoldo also served as Director Operation SER, Jobs for Progress and was instrumental in providing college courses for Valley residents from Texas A&I University in Kingsville and Master's Degree classes from Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio. One of his greatest assets was the ability to make people understand the importance of an education, and the positive impact an education could have in an individual's life.

Arnoldo was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, sisters, and a granddaughter.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Angelita (Guerra) Cantu of San Juan; his daughters, Ida C. (David) Lopez of Lorton, Virginia and Diana C. (Alex) Ochoa of Pharr; his sons, Arnoldo Jr., Dr. Roel Esteban (Nelda), David, and Luis Jaime (Maricela) Cantu, all of San Juan; 15 grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

Arnoldo Cantu had a passion for helping and educating those in his community, and for that service he was named The Citizen of the Year for San Juan in 2005. In 2006, he was inducted into the "Walk of Fame" and honored by the Rio Grande Walk of Fame in Hidalgo, Texas. He was bestowed the honor of "Service to Society" presented by the Coalition of Literacy Services of the Rio Grande Valley.

Arnoldo gave those he met and those who met him, strength and wisdom. He shared his happiness with everyone. He will be remembered as a good and decent man who took the greatest pride in his wife Angelita, his children, but most importantly, his loving grandchildren and his great-granddaughter. He will forever be in our hearts.

The family of Arnoldo Cantu wishes to express a sincere heartfelt thank you to all his medical providers, the staff and administration of Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home, and Dr. Roel Esteban Cantu for coordinating his medical treatments. Also, we would like to thank the family and friends who have graciously provided prayers, condolences and food.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 pm, with a 7 pm rosary, today, April 29, 2010 at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral service will be at 10 am, Friday, April 30, 2010 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish in San Juan. Interment will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen. Pallbearers will be Daniel Lopez, Arnoldo Cantu III, Andres Manuel Cantu, Vincent Ochoa, Roel Esteban Cantu, Jr. and Miguel Dario Cantu. Military honors will be conducted by American Legion Post 101 of Pharr.

Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.