Neo Franco Cantú

Neo was born on November 21,1944 in Crystal City, Texas. He passed peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, November 7, just shy of his 80th birthday.

After graduating from high school in Hale Center, Neo enrolled at the Corpus Christi University, a Baptist College, in Corpus Christi, Texas where he started his freshman year as a pre-law student. He later transferred to Baylor University in Waco, Texas where he earned a BA in Spanish Literature. After graduating from Baylor in 1968, Neo was drafted. He joined the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam (Military Intelligence). He earned the Bronze Star among other awards and recognitions. After being honorably discharged from his tour, Neo enrolled at North Texas State University in Denton, Texas where he continued his graduate studies. He worked as a City Planner in Fort Worth, Texas and later had a successful career as an administrator in the Houston Independent School District in Houston, Texas where he retired. In 2004, Neo fulfilled his dream to become a published author and “A Destiny Foretold” was published.

Neo was a beloved husband, father/stepfather, grandfather/step grandfather, step great grandfather, brother and uncle. He will be remembered as a gentleman with loving, kind, and generous ways. His humorous, non-conventional ways and amazing cooking skills made him the life of any social gathering. As a world traveler, Neo observed people and their customs, collected experiences, insights and tidbits that would later manifest in his descriptive writings. He loved writing, enjoying life to its fullest, and being around people.

Neo is survived by his loving wife of almost 26 years, Gracy Montemayor Cantú, his children Neito Jr (Kim) Cantú, Veronica V (Michael) Rygh, stepchildren Ernesto Vasquez II (Samantha Estrada), Jessica (Alex) Gotay, and Joanna (Daniel) Meade, grandchildren Michael Jr and Liana E. Rygh, 11 step grandchildren, 2 step great grandchildren, brother Carlos Cantú and sisters Hilda (Paul) Herrera, Elizabeth (Daniel) Rodriquez, and Ruth A Cantú, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends and travel companions for over 20 years.

He is preceded in death by his father, Reverend Jose G. Cantú, his mother, Maria Lucia F. Cantú ,and brother Jose G. Cantú Jr.

The family would like to thank Deacon Pete Olivier for officiating Neo’s funeral and committal services. A special thanks to Anchor Hospice for providing consistent quality support and the POD B staff at the Richard A Anderson Veterans State Home for providing loving and attentive care.

A celebration of life is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 11:00 am, Brookside Funeral Home-Champions, 3410 Cypress Creek Pkwy, Houston, 77068.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to any of the the flowing: Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Wounded Warrior Project, Alzheimer’s Association