Jerardo Sanchez Cardenas

Gary Cardenas, beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, nephew and friend, sadly passed away on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the age of 43. Gary's unexpected passing leaves a deep void in the hearts of his family and all who knew him.

Gary is survived by his dear wife of 20 years, Marybeth Cardenas, and their two cherished sons, Kolbe, age 17, and Kamron, age 10. He was also deeply loved by his devoted mother, Antonia Sotelo, and stepfather, Javier Sotelo, as well as his siblings: David "JR" Cardenas, Veronica Cardenas, Alejandro M. Hernandez, Elizabeth S. Sotelo, and Christopher J. Sotelo. Gary's extended family was immense, with over 160 relatives, many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

A hardworking man, he was very successful and passionate about his career in the tire industry in his incredible sales position. He was proud to train others and mentor those in the industry and truly enjoyed building and maintaining strong relationships with his customers and coworkers.

With a deep love for his family, Gary dedicated his life to providing for those he loved while making time to enjoy the things that brought him joy. Whether it was spending time on the river with his family on his boat, camping under the stars, or adventuring with his family and friends on quads at the dunes, Gary found happiness in life's simple pleasures.

We can not forget his special love of Hank, his faithful pup.

He loved to connect with those around him and encouraged everyone to find joy in the present. Gary was passionate about learning new things. In recent months, he developed a newfound enthusiasm for cooking, exploring new recipes and culinary techniques beyond his usual barbecuing. A lifelong sports fan, he was especially obsessed with the Green Bay Packers, cheering them on through every season with unwavering devotion: Go Packers!

More recently, Gary had become focused on family, and creating opportunities to reconnect with loved ones. He believed in the importance of family ties and would encourage others to reach out and cherish those relationships.

His boys, Kolbe and Kamron, were the light of his life. And he was never prouder than when cheering them on at their sports events. Gary took great joy in seeing Kolbe cut down their Christmas tree for the first time this year, marking a beautiful moment of family togetherness.

Gary's sudden departure has left an irreplaceable gap in his family and friends' lives. His laughter, infectious joy, and zest for life will be greatly missed, but his memory will live on through the countless lives he touched. He leaves behind a legacy of love, hard work, and a commitment to family that will continue to inspire those who knew him.

A celebration of Gary's life will be held at a later date, and the family invites all to join in honoring his memory.

Rest in peace, Gary. You will be forever missed.