Patrick Romero Cantu

Patrick "Pat" Romero Cantu, 80, of Robinson, TX went to be with the Lord on Monday, May 27, 2024 at his home with his wife by his side.

Pat was born on March 17, 1944, in Waco, TX to Saragoza and Consuelo (Romero) Cantu. He was a loving husband, the best "girl dad" and an even better pawpaw. He was also a great brother, brother-in-law, son, son-in-law, godfather and to many nieces and nephews he was simply, Uncle Pat.

Pat spent most of his childhood working for his family. He proudly talked about picking cotton and fruit in the fields with his siblings and cousins. He grew up in the "good old neighborhoods" as he would always say, Sandtown and 10 Top Alley. Despite working all the time, he graduated from Waco High School and went on to proudly serve in the US Navy for 6 years, serving as an Electrician and fighting overseas in the Vietnam War. Pat loved talking about the time he spent in the service and the many places he went and the friends he made. After the Navy, he met the love of his life, Frances and married her on December 22, 1972. They loved traveling all across the US to follow his favorite NASCAR driver, Richard Petty. After traveling for nearly a decade, they went on to have two beautiful daughters that he was immensely proud of. He attended any and everything their mom involved them in and always talked so highly of them. He was employed at the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for 35 years, serving as an Electrician Repairman for the company. He made so many friends during that time, several of which he still met up with on Tuesdays for "Coffee Day."

After he retired in 2001, he stayed busy working various part time jobs. Pat loved meeting new people and talking with anyone who would talk with him. He never ever met a stranger. His life changed drastically in 2013 when he became a "pawpaw." He made it his life mission to spend every single moment he could with his grandsons. You would always find him at their t-ball games, basketball games, school performances or just at their house every single night to tuck them in and say prayers. His world became even brighter in 2020 when his first and only granddaughter was born. Even though she lived a few hours away, he would enjoy talking with her or facetiming her every single night. He enjoyed so much when she would visit, which was fairly often and got a kick out of how feisty she was. If you knew him, you knew how proud he was to be a grandfather or, as he was called, their pawpaw.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Saragoza and Consuelo Cantu, sisters Carmen Cantu, Christine Morales, Evangelina Cantu and brother Larry Cantu.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years Frances Romo Cantu, daughters Victoria Lynn Cantu and spouse Daniel Hurtado of Del Valle, Tx, Karen Rodriguez and spouse Jesse Yglecias of Robinson, Tx, grandsons Jayden Jose Rodriguez, Julian Patrick Rodriguez and granddaughter Elliana Isabel Hurtado. Sisters, Mary Helen Gonzales, Mary Louise Luna and husband Tom, and brother James Cantu and wife Patricia. Many in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews, his two pets that he loved and had for years, Stevie and Mikey and many other friends and family.

A Rosary will be held at 7pm on Tuesday, June 4th at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Dr., Waco, with his brother-in-law, Deacon Bonifacio Rodriguez officiating. The family will have visitation from 6pm-8pm on Tuesday at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, June 5th at 10 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2621 Bagby Ave, Waco, with Father Benjamin Magnaye officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Oakwood Cemetery, 2124 S. 5^th Street, Waco.