Alberto Texas

Alberto Patricio Cárdenas, 80, passed away on May 4, 2017. He was born on St. Patrick’s Day of 1937, lived life as an optimist, doer of good, and teacher for all.

As a point of pride, he set fashion trends, read vigorously, quoted literature and political leaders repeatedly, enjoyed building and completing his stamp and coin collections, understood History beyond a single view, and thoroughly cherished the modern day home designed with indoor plumbing, air conditioning, an abundant excess of electrical outlets, storage space, upgraded insulation and ventilation, operational drainage, and without question, completely stocked with sufficient toilet paper, telephone directories, novels, historical books, presidential biographies, encyclopedias, news magazines, small gadgets, big screen televisions, electronic remote controls, Coke products, ice cream and an assortment of snacks.

For Alberto, a home telephone was always preferable to a mobile phone; voice mail a hindrance to direct, personal communication; automated recordings and messages a nuisance; and text messages an unknown custom.

He loved traveling, taking photographs with his Cannon wide-angled lens camera, visiting museums and portrait galleries, monuments, historical structures and taking naps on weekends. Proper form in everything was expected and lack thereof for the able bodied deemed inexcusable, or at the very least – perfect for a bad example. Civic engagement, reading books, correct penmanship, excellent writing, pronunciation, and public speaking were always lauded. Playing video games, watching inappropriate television shows, and wasting time were severely discouraged.

He honored his parents, Juan and Doda, cherished his grandmothers, Cecilia and Francisca, who encouraged his studies, and adored his older siblings, Guadalupe Doda and Magdalena, who together with his brother Juan Francisco, always looked after him.

In his formative years his studies were preferred to agricultural labor. He spent summers advancing his school work in Laredo’s public schools and at St. Joseph’s Academy, played the clarinet as a member of the Tiger Band, and graduated from Martin High School in 1953. He began his freshmen year as a sixteen year old in the Corps of Cadets at The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, graduated at the age of twenty with a degree in History with the ability to work in Laredo’s public schools but without the legal authority to purchase his first car which remained in his father’s name until Alberto’s twenty-first birthday.

For thirteen years he was employed with the Laredo Independent School District teaching students at Urbahn Elementary, Lamar Middle School, Nixon and Martin High Schools. He earned his Master of Education degree from Texas A&M University in 1964 and was intently focused on the advancement of his students. He sponsored student government organizations, annual yearbooks and class field trips to universities. His most serious and special role however, was as “Uncle Pat” to his seven nephews and nieces – Joey, Patsy, Lizzie, Johnny, Javier, Joel, and Cindy – whom he cared for, helped guide and often treated to car rides in his 1957 Chevy Bellaire, 1964 Volkswagen Beetle and 1969 Chrysler Newport.

He was recruited to join the faculty of Laredo Junior College in 1970 where luckily, on the first day of convocation, he met the love of his life, Maria de la Luz (Lucy) Rodriguez. Their courtship was epic and within two weeks, without a proposal, he noted their marriage was not a question but rather a destiny. Their wedding day on May 29, 1971 remained the most memorable date of his life and accordingly, no single person was ever allowed to touch or remove the portraits of his beloved wife within their home. Together, Alberto and Lucy enjoyed continued involvement in their professional roles, within their parish community at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, and most especially with the rearing of their three children, Cristina Doda, Alberto Jr., and Maradelle Lilliam.

In their forty six years of marriage they attended academic and religious conferences, reunions, followed Texas Aggie football, ventured to Europe and the Middle East, and mapped annual adventurous family vacations within the United States and Mexico. He excelled at growing pecan trees, gardenias and grape vines, investing wisely, living within his means, and had a life-long love affair with appropriate grammar and finding the best qualities in every person, encouraging and guiding their decisions particularly in college coursework and career choices.

Alberto took pride in his service in the United States Air Force Reserve, never quarreled with a payment to the Internal Revenue Service, voted in every election, restored antiques, enjoyed art, live theater, music and dance performances, and adored all silver screen productions featuring his favorite actress, Elizabeth Taylor.

He was committed to building a better community for his family and neighbors, respected his elders, cared for neglected and abused children, the aged, sick, and those with disabilities and volunteered his time with service on the Board of Directors and as President of the Laredo Boys & Girls Clubs, Laredo-Webb County Child Welfare Board, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Men’s Club, Election Day voting Precinct Judge, Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association representing the International Good Neighbor Council where he was an officer and President, Vice President of the Area Health Education Center Board of Directors, and in the last 15 years served as a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem achieving the rank of Knight Commander with Star.

In 2001 Alberto began the celebration of his retirement after forty four years of service in public education, the last thirty one of which were spent at Laredo Community College as a counselor and thereafter Director of the Counseling and Assessment Center. In addition to helping countless students with their degree plans and life challenges he taught courses in education, counseling and history, led a team of professionals committed to engaging students, raised thousands of dollars benefiting educational endowments and student scholarships, organized construction of college floats in annual parades, and served as an advisor to numerous student organizations.

During retirement he took immeasurable gratification visiting his children, traveling with his wife, and nurturing his grandchildren – reminding them of his role as a grandfather, particularly as both of his grandfathers predeceased him, driving his grandchildren to and from school, accompanying them to festivities, and guiding each of them in their lives. He was the first to celebrate and the last to find fault. His energetic and optimistic spirit is reflected in every life he touched.

Alberto is preceded in death by his parents, Juan and Doda M. Cárdenas, his sisters Guadalupe Doda (Jose†) Bazan and Maria Magdalena and an infant brother, Juan Francisco. He was deeply loved by his mother-in-law, Teresa M. Rodriguez, who predeceased him and her family who cherished his presence. He is survived by his brother Juan Francisco (Irma) Cárdenas, his wife Maria de la Luz (Lucy) Rodriguez Cárdenas, their children, Cristina Doda (Daniel) Ramírez, Alberto Jr. (Norma Bustamante), and Maradelle Lilliam (Gilberto) Lara, and grandchildren Daniel Barrientos, Jr., Nathaniel Roberto “Bobby” Barrientos, Raquel Irene Barrientos, Melissa Bernice Lara, José Gilberto Lara, Rafael José Barrientos, Daniel Candelario Ramírez, Luz Celestina Lara, Tomás Patricio Ramírez and Gilberto Saúl Lara, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and beloved godchildren.

The family will receive guests from 5 pm to 9 pm on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapel with a rosary recited by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Isabella the Catholic #683 at 5:30 pm and the Vigil for the Deceased at 7pm.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, May 8, 2017 at 10:10 a.m. from Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapel to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. with internment following at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

The family thanks the following: David Garza, D.O., Nursing from the Heart, CIMA Hospice, Leonides Cigarroa, Jr., M.D., and all staff at Laredo Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. They also ask that you honor Alberto and his work by taking initiative, reading a book, registering to vote, advocating for those neglected and abused especially children, paying your taxes, and loving one another to promote peace on Earth.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Laredo (500 Moctezuma Street, Laredo, Texas 78043); Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County (111 N Merida, Laredo, TX 78043), AHEC Students Leadership Scholarship Program, or the Marissa C. Keene Memorial Scholarship at St. Augustine High School.