Alberto Carlos Cardenas, of Laredo Texas, died on July 27, 2023 at his home in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 94.  He was in the care of his son Francisco and his partner David Caleb, family members, and a wonderful team of professionals, who were with him and his active lifestyle right up until the end.

Al, as he was known to his friends and family, was a Drug and Alcohol abuse counselor, graduating from the University of Texas in Austin with his Masters.  He was married to Barbara Elizabeth Ferro for 44 years and had a son, Francisco Cardenas II.  Al was very much a family's man and loved to "learn, see and do" as he called it with a variety of things and subjects that varied, with his hunger and thirst for life and knowledge having never ceased.  He worked at the state hospital for over 35 years before retiring into his new life post-retirement as a property owner and songwriter, managing a few properties and writing religious songs and parody songs.

Al was a devout Catholic and a member of St Luke's Church in S.A. serving as a Eucharistic minister alongside his wife, Barbara, for many years. An active member of his community, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and worked with the Boy Scouts of America as a den assistant to his wife Barbara, who herself was the Den leader in their son Francisco's Den 4.  He also worked with his mother-in-law, Margarita Ferro, to donate over ten thousand posters to the Archdiocese of San Antonio, and hundreds of churches across the U.S., of the "Virgin Mary of Guadalupe", whose image was presented to his holiness Pope John Paul II to bless during his tour in the '80's.

A true patriot, he was in the United States Army serving in the Korean War and was a two-time bronze star recipient for heroism.  He loved all types of music, movies, and art, in various forms, all too innumerable to list here but he never missed the opportunity to learn, find out, and know all that he could.  "Al the peoples' pal", one of his nicknames will be dearly missed by the multitude of family members and friends he leaves behind, who know he is now where he wants to be, with his love, Barbara.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Barbara E. Cardenas, his mother, Maria Enriqueta Valdez, his father, Francisco Cardenas, and his brother, Frank Pier Ghier.  He leaves behind his only son, Francisco R. Cardenas II, his sister, Adie Morrison, brother, Hector Cardenas, his goddaughter, Margie Marcin, goddaughter, Michelle Morrison, nephew, Hector Cardenas, Jr., nieces, Lenore Orta, Diana Biggerstaff, Sheri Markland, Dee Pantalion, adopted granddaughter, Candyce Slusher and her husband Tim Slusher, and adopted grandson, "Ramoncito".  He also leaves behind many grandnieces & grandnephews.

MEMORIAL SERVICES

Memorial Rosary will be recited Friday, March 8th at 6:30pm in The Angelus Chapel.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, March 9th at 10:00am also in The Angelus Chapel.