Carlos A. Cantu

PHARR – Carlos A. Cantu, 91, passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loved ones on Sunday, May 5, 2024. Carlos was born in Encino, Texas on January 12, 1933, to Nazario and Norberta A. Cantu. Growing up in Brooks County during the 1940’s and 50’s, “Chale”, as he was known, learned the importance of hard work at a very young age by working alongside his parents and siblings in their family businesses. It was during those early years that he honed the skills that would serve him throughout his adult life.

In 1955, Carlos met the love of his life, Ercilia Flores in Pharr, Texas.  They married in 1957 and moved to Rachal Texas to help operate his parent’s restaurant Delicias Café.  By 1958, they were able to open their own grocery store/gas station, Cantu’s New Stop in Pharr.  In 1962, they built a larger brick store that they named Cantu’s Super Market which included groceries, a meat market/deli, and a full-service gas station. Carlos and his wife along with their children served the neighborhood for 50 years. Their other business ventures included investing in real estate projects and selling residential lots and homes. 

Carlos was a caring and loving father who instilled in his children the values of hard work, education, and service to others. He was a “jack of all trades” who enjoyed keeping his properties in tip-top form. He volunteered his time to St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, Valley Interfaith, and several City of Pharr boards. Carlos’s memory will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him.

Carlos is preceded in death by his parents, wife, and his siblings Eduardo, Marcelo, Nellie, Nazario, Hilda, Fidel, Rene, and his son-in- law Armando Salinas. He is survived by his children, Gloria, Carlos Jr., Omar (Martha), Roberto (Angela), Rene, 12 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. 

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan, TX. Visitation will be held from 5pm – 8pm on Sunday, May 12, 2024, with a Rosary at 6pm. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 10am at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, in Pharr, TX. Interment will follow at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr. Serving as pallbearers are grandsons, Carlos III, Aaron, John Paul, Justin, Michael, and Isaiah Cantu.