Birth date: May 14, 1947 Death date: Jun 17, 2024
Enrique De La Paz Cantu Sr. 77 of Uvalde died Monday, June 17, 2024 at his residence in Uvalde. The Visitation will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024 from 12:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M., at Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home with a Baha’I D Read Obituary
I remember Henry from the days of the teaching trip to Mexico and the resulting Fuego De La Frontera video. Amazing days, marvelous family, many impressive decades of service to the Cause of God.
Enrique was the most wonderful Bahai friend. Him and his beloved family were so nice always with Bahai visitors to Uvalde. We will miss Enrique smile and friendship.GOD bless Enrique a wonderful soul.
Enrique also related to me this story. He was serving in the United States, Air Force, and one night he had this dream. A man with a beard and a turban appeared at the foot of his bed while he lie sleeping. The man said, I want you for my army. That was the dream and that was the end of it. This dream puzzled Enrique because he thought to himself- I'm already in the Air Force.
Henry and his wife were living in Alamogordo and it had snowed. Enrique took the family to Cloudcroft or someplace nearby to go sledding. Enrique's son had a collision with another boy named David Hoff. That is how Enrique met Richard Hoff who invited Enrique and family to dinner.
Enrique didn't want to go but his wife wasn't keen on making dinner that night and said we're going. When they arrived at the Hoff residence he saw a picture of Abdul Baha of the Bahai faith. He told his wife that is the man who was in my dream. One thing led to another, and Enrique became a lifelong Believer in the Baha'i faith.
He used to have weekly children virtue classes and after class they would pick up litter along the river as a service to the Uvalde community. One day he told the children that there would be no class the next week because he and his wife were going to a Baha'i event in San Marcos, a river float.
The children immediately asked to go with him. He said that he didn't have room in his car for all of them and it wouldn't be fair to the ones left behind therefore he couldn't take any of them. They pleaded with him to go and suggested they take two cars. He told them that he had already considered every option and there was no way possible.
They grew silent and then said that he once told them if they consulted together they would always find a solution. He relented and said, ok let's consult and they had this conversation:
Children: We can take two cars.
E: No because my wife doesn't drive well at night.
C: We can ride in the back of the pickup.
E: No because there's no seatbelts
C: We can put seatbelts
E: No because it's difficult to put in seatbelts and the hot sun would bear down on you etc..
Just when it looked like all options were eliminated one boy spoke up and said, My Abuela just bought a new van that would fit us all.
E: I don't think your abuela would let somebody she doesn't know take her new van out of town.
Boy: yes, she will. Just call her.
Out of a sense of obligation, he called her, introduced himself and said, your grandson is in my children's class and we were wondering if we could use your new van to take the children to San Marcos for a River float? She gave a resounding YES.
All the children were very happy and now Enrique had to make plans for an overnight stay for all the children. He told me that he thought he was teaching them about consultation when in fact, they were teaching him. He has a heart of gold
Henry was always kind and loving towards me and my family. His essence of character was service to mankind, and a love for humanity. There was never a time when I saw him that my heart was not uplifted and joy entered the room. I will miss him dearly. However, a reflection of his love, service and joy can be found in his beloved wife, and his dear children.
My love to all of Henry's family. You are, and will always be in my heart.
Shiidon Bahí Hawley
Primo Enrique , it's years since I last saw you Last time I saw you was at the Printing Shop in Corpus Christi, Texas , You were always smiling , You reminded me so much of my Tia Andrea Your smile reminded me of her smile. I loved her she was such a caring person always wanting to help every one. I was also in touch with Elvira , So sad every one ended every where . I live in Hagerstown, md , I been here since 2000 ,I wish to keep in contact with whatever family that is left from the De La Paz and cantu and Guartuche family , and who ever else I forgot. My deepest Condolences to HIs wife and all his family , and to his brother , and sisters , and his children , I am deeply sorry for your great loss. You are now surround by all our departed family who has all gone . But never forgotten You are now in one of the most beautiful place where there is no pain , your in God's kingdom . Surrounded by your parents , and brothers and Sisters who left us all with a Broken Hearts , Again my deepest condolences from the Jimenez, and Molina , De La Paz family .
