Beloved husband, father, and grandfather Rene Cantú died January 10, 2020 with his family by his side. He was born on August 6, 1938, to Jose Atenojenes Cantu and Lilia Hale, and was one of six children. Rene humbly joined the army and proudly served his country. This garnered him the ability to travel far and wide, to places such as Italy, Germany and Switzerland, which was a very transformative experience for him. Later in life, he married San Juanita Cantu, his wife of 34 years. He was a very family-oriented man, and was unfailingly happy so long as his children and grandchildren were around him. He was a man who could recognize the profundity in life’s simple pleasures, and was happiest watching TV Land with a cup of coffee in his hand and his family at his side. He possessed a wealth of knowledge, and his teachings will live on in his loved ones. Rene suffered a stroke in 2013, and for seven years, his beloved wife cared for him selflessly and lovingly.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jose Atenojenes Cantu and Lilia Cantu. His siblings Carlos Cantu, Rebecca Pineda, Rosario Barroso, and Elsa Cantu. He is survived by his wife San Juanita Cantu, his brother Horacio Cantu, his children Carolina Cantu, Rene (Carmela) Cantu, Coirna (Rourke) Melendez, Jose Ricardo Cantu, Maribel (David) Trevino, Javier (Alejandra) Layton and Alberto (Amanda) Layton; grandchildren, Jonathan Melendez, Christopher Melendez, Alejandro Sanchez, Rebeca Marie (Caleb) Garcia, Andres (Ema) Sanchez, Adriana Ariel (Juan) Sanchez, Jose Ricardo Cantu Jr., Tristan Rourke Melendez, Lauren Amanda Melendez, Luca Cantu, Jett Cantu, Jennifer (James) Mendoza, David Trevino, Jr., Amanda Trevino, Maribel (Chris) Mendoza, Oscar Trevino, Christina Trevino, Crystal, Janie, Alejandra, and Javier Jr Layton, Alberto Jr., Antonio and Alejandro Layton; great-grandchildren, Alexander Jacob Sanchez, Caleb Isaiah Garcia, Leia Jennifer Garcia, Regina Mendoza, Jaden and Nathaniel Mendoza.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation services on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Nieto Funeral Home & Crematory, where a rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, January 15, 2020, from the funeral home to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 9:00 am. Interment will follow immediately in the Veteran's Section of the Laredo City Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion Post 59 of Laredo and flag presentation will be provided by the United States Army honor guard.

Funeral service arrangements are under the care of Nieto Funeral Home & Crematory, 802 Coke St. Laredo, TX 78040. Condolences can be expressed to the family online at www.nietofuneral.com.