Eligardo "Lee" Cardenas Jr.

Mr. Cardenas is survived by his wife, Margaret Cardenas of 55 years; children Paula Gonzalez (Netza), Eligardo “Lee” Cardenas Jr. (Jodi), and Grace Montalvo (James); grandchildren Ashley Gonzales, Christopher Campos, Savannah Montalvo, Jonathan Campos, Leah Montalvo, Evan Cardenas, Jennah Montalvo, and Kaliana Cardenas; siblings Elizabeth Garcia and Frances Limon and a multitude of loving family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother, John “JC” Earnest Cardenas, his sister, Dolores Portillo, father Eligardo Cardenas, and mother, Sophie Cardenas.

Lee grew up in Austin, Texas. He joined the U.S. Army, completing two tours in Vietnam, and retired from the U.S. Army Reserves in 1999. Lee loved his music, fishing, and sports; and was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, and Texas Longhorns. He enjoyed travelling to the beach, Las Vegas trips with his wife, working on cars, attending family and social gatherings, and staying fit at the YMCA. He was a joker and “young at heart”, who showed all of us how much of a true fighter he really was. He will be truly missed by many.

“Old Soldiers will never die; they just fade away”-General Douglas MacArthur

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 9, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, with a rosary prayer service at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2025 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 2500 Limmer Loop in Hutto. Following the Mass, he will be laid to rest at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 11463 TX-195, Killeen, Texas 76542.

For those wanting to send flowers for the service, please have them sent to the funeral home.