Francisco T. "Panchito" Cardenas

Francisco T. “Panchito” Cardenas, 92, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2025. He was born on March 20, 1933, in Beeville, Texas, to Juan and Florentina (Tapia) Cardenas. He married Estella Cuellar on July 28, 1963. He retired from the oil field industry.

Francisco was the patriarch of the family. He was always at the forefront of helping everyone in his family and extended family with all their needs. He was dearly loved by his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends. He hardly missed any of his grandchildren’s events and games. He enjoyed his numerous trips with family and friends and especially if it included a stop at a casino. Panchito knew no strangers and made friends everywhere he went, and he really loved the many New Year’s Eve parties that were held at his home. He will be dearly missed.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Estella Cuellar Cardenas and his siblings, Rosendo, Gilberto, Esequia, Lina, German, Juan and Joe.

He is survived by his children, Javier (Elsie) Cardenas, Juan Cardenas, Jerardo Cardenas, Lila (Mark) Barrera and Jaime (Frank) Cardenas; one brother, Silver (Lefty) Cardenas and two sisters, Aurora Gomez and Magdalena Gonzales. He is also survived by 23 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 3-8 pm on Friday, October 3, at Oak Park Memorial Funeral Chapel. A rosary will be recited at 7 pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 1:30 pm on Saturday, October 4, at St. James Catholic Church with Fr. Jacob Valayath as celebrant. Interment will follow at San Pedro Cemetery in Clareville, Texas.

Serving as pallbearers are Jesse Garza, Ernest Flores, Jimmy Cardenas, Felix Luna, Edward Cardenas, Ernesto Aleman, Juan Cardenas and Benny Pena. Honorary pallbearers are Ruben Cuellar and Terry Vidauri.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Hacienda Oaks Nursing Center and New Century Hospice.

OAK PARK MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL

BEEVILLE, TEXAS

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