He met Leonila Garcia in General Teran and they married on February 22, 1960. He worked as a trailer mechanic at Lufkin Trailers for 29 years. He had a passion for wrestling and he was a very well known referee in the wrestling industry for several years. He loved to spend time with his family, and on Sunday's he would sit outside and watch the grandkids and great grandkids play during the family barbecue's.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Leonila Cantu Garcia; his parents Hernando Cantu and Catarina Rodriguez Cantu; his brothers, Leonel Cantu, Guadalupe Cantu, Roberto Cardenas, Miguel Cardenas, Ramiro Cantu and Eliud Cantu; his sisters, Pura Martinez and Hortencia Millan; his son, Ruben Cantu "El Negro"; and his grandchildren, Erica Cantu, Jordan Aragon and Joseph Cantu.
He is survived by his sisters, Leonila Cantu, Yolanda Silva, Enedelia Cardenas, Silvia Cardenas, Soraya Cantu, Telma Cantu and Carmen Cantu; his brothers, Alvaro Cantu, Hernando Cantu and Candelario Cantu; his children, Martin Cantu, Catarino Cantu Sr., Olga Cantu, Leonila Hernandez, Ruben Cantu Jr., Guadalupe Cantu Sr., Marisela Cantu-Villareal and Cruz Cantu-Flores; his grandchildren, Elizabeth, David, Samantha, Jennifer, Jane, Michael, Catarino Jr., Michelle, Patricia, Stephanie, Laura, Lexi, Francisco, Joey, Jessica, Josephine, Guadalupe Jr., Leslie, Priscilla, Santivanni, Angelica, Ruben, Cain, RJ, Melinda and Leonel; and 53 great grandchildren.
Pallbearers: Martin Cantu, Catarino Cantu Sr., Ruben Cantu Jr., Guadalupe Cantu Sr., Joey Castillo, Santivanni Mendez, Francisco Collingsworth and Guadalupe Cantu Jr.