David Cervantes

He was the youngest of 14 and the last surviving child of Alfredo Cervantes and Eulalia Rodriguez Cervantes. He attended San Jacinto High School and left in his senior year to join the Merchant Marines. He lied about his age so that he could join early and celebrated his 18th birthday while crossing the equator. He set sail on the Rye Cove, a T2 oil tanker, that carried kerosene from South America to Great Britain. He loved being in the Merchant Marines and told stories about the sailors, officers, and people he met while sailing. When he returned from his last voyage, he disembarked at the Port in New York City, so that he could take a train home to Houston. He wanted to travel through the States to see new and different places. His love of travel had begun.

David met his future wife, Eulogia Alderete, at a football game. He said he met four girls at the game, but she was the one with the prettiest legs. Once they began dating, he would take the bus and walk miles to see her. He didn’t want her to know that he had a car because he was afraid that she would like him just for the car. They married on June 20, 1948.

After marriage, he went to work for Sam Alderete’s construction company, where he used the many skills his father taught him when they worked together in his teenage years. He later worked for Henke & Pilott, Schepps Grocery Supply, Glazer Food Supply and Grocers Supply. After retirement he became self-employed and specialized in equipment repairs for small, family-owned produce supply companies.

David loved music, especially jazz, films of any genre, reading the news, and entertaining. He loved his family very much, both immediate and extended. All were welcomed in his home and never left empty handed. He demonstrated his love by giving of himself and providing for his family.

He was preceded in death by his wife Eulogia Cervantes (Lodie), daughter Judy Aviles (Jud), and granddaughter Victoria Cervantes. He was also preceded in death by his sisters Mamie Martinez, Mary Carnes (Adrian), Ina Miranda (Johnnie), Janie Castro (Louis), Vera Rodriguez (Tommy), and Geraldine Armstrong (Jim); his brothers Alfredo Cervantes, Richard Cervantes (Lourdes), Joe Cervantes, Jimmy Cervantes, Felix Cervantes (Carmen), and Valentino Cervantes (Rosemary).

He is survived by his daughter Jean Cervantes, son David Eric Cervantes (Cassie), grandsons Mario Anthony Aviles (Amanda), James Cervantes (Kaitlyn), Teddy Cervantes, granddaughter Julianna Cervantes, great-granddaughter Gracelynn, and many, many generations of nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to Serenity Hospice services and Just Like Home Personal Care Homes for their care and dedication to Pop these last few months.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org. The service will be live streamed on the funeral home’s Facebook page.