Canuto “Tom” Arratia, born on January 19, 1932 in Brownsville, Texas, to the late Hilaria Gomez and the late Tomas Arratia, passed away peacefully in his sleep at age 87 on February 15, 2019 in McKinney, Texas. Canuto served his country as a Master Chief in the Navy from 1951 until 1982, where he was commissioned onboard several ships, the last being the USS Kitty Hawk. After he left the Navy, Canuto went into restaurant management. He and his wife Fem were well known in the town of DeSoto, Texas, as the friendly, welcoming, owners of Antojitos Mexican grill until retiring in 1997.
Canuto's spouse was the late Eufemia “Fem” Arratia. He was previously married to the late Lavern Ashcraft before marrying Fem. He was preceded in death by his sister, Julia Arratia Vasquez. Canuto is survived by his stepfather, Maximiano Garcia; sisters Paula Dimas, Margarita “Maggie” Garcia and Guadalupe Hernandez and brother Maximiano Garcia Jr. Canuto is also survived by his sons, Mike Arratia and Troy Arratia(Lori); daughters, Teresa Foley(Dane) and Tonette Stoker(Joe); stepsons, Manuel and Jodie Gonzalez; stepdaughter, Sylvia Gonzalez; grandchildren, Christina Armstrong(Kendon), Dakota Foley, Lonnie and Brittney Wilson, Chelsi Arratia, Jeremy Shguit, Orian and Justin Bristow, Erica Gonzales, and Ryan Farrell; great-grandchildren, Kai, Kenna, Kambree, Maria, MarCia, Adrian, Jase, Kamrynn, Alexus, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Tom had a great passion for cheering on the Dallas Cowboys and never missed a game! He never missed an opportunity to take his grand-kids and great grand-kids out to dinner when he could. Family was always his number one priority, and he would do anything for them. In his last days, you could find him partaking in his favorite hobby of all…sitting in his chair, covered in blankets, watching Law and Order SVU, all the CSI shows, and Blue Bloods.
Friends and family members may attend the celebration of his life dressed in their favorite Dallas Cowboys jerseys or attire, officiated by Kendon Armstrong, on Saturday, February 23 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m, at Laurel Land Funeral Home and Laurel Land Memorial Park – Dallas, 6000 South R. L. Thornton Fwy, Dallas, Texas, 75232. A viewing will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Laurel Land on Friday, February 22.
