Manuel Cantu

Manuel Cantu of McGregor died Saturday morning, May 18, 2013, at the age of 81. Rosary will be recited at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday at Cole Funeral Home Chapel, 1113 West Fifth Street, McGregor. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at St. Eugene Catholic Church with Father Jose Azcona as celebrant. Interment will follow in McGregor Cemetery.

Mr. Cantu was born January 1, 1932, in Tynan, Texas where he attended school. On July 26, 1948, he married the former Antonia Garcia in Munday, Texas. After fifty-two years of marriage, she preceded him in death December 11, 2000. After living in Munday a few years, he moved to Mathis and later to McGregor in 1952. Upon moving to McGregor he was in the maintence business being employed by Perm a Dwell, McGregor ISD and retired from First National Bank.

He was a member of St. Eugene Catholic Church where in earlier years served as a communion steward and was an usher.

Also preceding him in death was his mother and step-father, Maria Rios and Augustine Coronado; an infant daughter, Delores Cantu; a grandson, Armando Paniagua, III; a brother, Ray Cantu; four sisters, Manuela Garcia, Olite Gutierry, Maria Merriman and Evangeline Pardon.

Survivors include six sons, Nicholas Cantu of Corpus Christi, Manuel Cantu, Jr. and wife Anita of Minnesota, David Cantu, Rudy Cantu and wife Tammy both of McGregor, Tim Cantu and wife Tina, Dorie “Sal” Cantu and wife Becky both of Cleburne; four daughters, Yolanda Garcia of McGregor, Delfina Galvan and husband Fred of Sinton, Tonie Marino and husband Louis of Rio Vista, Cynthia Paniagua of Cleburne; a brother, Raymond Coronado and wife Florence of Moshiem; a sister, Gloria Guerrero of McGregor, Mary Felan and husband Jessie of Luguna Park; twenty-five grandchildren, thirty-two great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

Active casketbearers will be Brandon Cantu, Nick Cantu, Eddie Garcia, Jr., A.J. Morino, Louis Morino and Noah Pan. Honorary casketbearers will be Nick Cantu, Jr., Sixto Cantu, Jamie Cantu, John David Trevino, Val Jr Trango, Matt Cantu and David Garcia, Jr.