Juan R. Cardoza Jr., also known as El Venado, was called home to our Lord and Savior on Dec. 6, 2017 in Richland, Wash. at the age of 55.
He was born on March 28, 1962 in Raymondville, Texas to Juan Rodolfo Sr. and Raquel Rojas Cardoza from Weslaco, Texas.
To all who knew him, he was a hard-working family man who was loved by many. Jr. met the love of his life, Evelinda Cardoza, also known as Bel, at the Templo Betania Church in Pasco, Wash. while working in the fields picking asparagus. He married Evelinda on June 9, 1984 at the Assembly of God Church in Hermiston. They had two beautiful children, Crystal Maria Guadalupe Cardoza (29) and Juan Cardoza III (23).
At the age of 49, he received one of his greatest blessings. While in the hospital, he was told that he would be a grandpa, which made him so happy. I remember it just like it was yesterday. He said to me, “I just wish to live to see my first grandchild born.” He not only lived to see him born but also welcomed in another grandchild, and also gave us six more years of live to be with us. He passed away on a very special day, his first grandchild Alijah Phipps’ sixth birthday.
He loved spending time with his grandchildren and always loved to be surrounded by family. He also had jokes that brought many smiles to everyone. His hobbies were going to the movies and eating popcorn and sneaking in pickles with his son JC and anybody that wanted to join; breaking his head to finish a word puzzle page; going to watch his grandchildren play sports; and trucking.
He was preceded in death by his father, Juan R. Cardoza Sr.; brother, Rigoberto Cardoza; and sister, Albina Garza.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Evelinda Cardoza, daughter, Crystal Maria Guadalupe Cardoza (A.J. Phipps), grandchildren, Alijah and Mariah Jae Phipps, and son, Juan Cardoza III, all of Hermiston; sisters, Aurora and Jose Alvarado, Terrell, Texas, Araceli and Genaro Soto, Clovis, N.M., and Raquel and Samuel Garza and Angie Cardoza, Othello, Wash.; brothers, Raul and Minerva Cardoza, Ricardo and Sylvia Cardoza and Roberto Cardoza, all of Weslaco, Texas, and Ruben and Jacqueline Cardoza, Pasco, Wash.; brother-in-law, Ruben Garza, Othello, Wash.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Hermiston Assembly of God, 730 E. Hurlburt Ave., Hermiston.
Burial will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
