Juan Edmundo Cantu

Juan "Johnny" Edmundo Cantu, 87, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2025 at the Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home in McAllen, Texas. He was born on a Tuesday, August 31, 1957 in McAllen, Texas to Juan Diego Cantu and Evita Hinojosa Cantu. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson; Jon A. Pedraza and aunt; Herlinda Ramos.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years; Virginia Padilla Cantu, sons; Leo (Kim) Cantu and Juan E. (Karen) Cantu, Jr., daughters; Pilar (Ruben) Pedraza and Christina (Danny) Martinez, brother; Carlos (Esther) Cantu, 7 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and numerous relatives.

Johnny graduated from McAllen High School. Shortly after graduation he joined the United State Air Force in 1957 where he served for 12 years during the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge from the Military, he attended Pan American College where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He did all this while working, taking care of and raising his family with Virginia.

One of Johnny's passions was painting, fishing and playing video games. Johnny worked as educator teaching Art for over 25 years with Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District. After retirement, he continued his lifelong passion of teaching and art as he continued to teach adults in McAllen. He was always grateful for the love of all his students.

He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and will be deeply missed . His loving smile and infectious laugh will always be remembered. Johnny will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched.

The Cantu family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home and the Elara Caring Hospice for the great care they gave Johnny.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM with a rosary at 6:00 PM to be held in the Chapel of Peace, Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home, 322 East Kuhn, Edinburg, Texas. Services will conclude after the Memorial service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Johnny's memory and one of his favorite charities, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, (www.stjude.org/tributes) Funeral services have been entrusted to Johnny Garcia, Funeral Director/Manager and staff at Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home in Edinburg.

www.stjude.org/tributes 

** Please make sure to mention Johnny's name when making any donations. **