I feel heartbroken and can’t believe I didn’t know of Steven’s passing until yesterday. I met Steven 11 years ago when I was 16 and doing some modeling for Ruiz. We did some shows together and then shortly after, I started actually getting my hair done and stuck with Steven ever since then. I moved out of Austin in 2020 but refused to ever find a new hairstylist and would come home just to see Steven and Sasha at Ruiz. I flew back home to Austin yesterday and thought I’d see if there’s any chance Steven had an opening. I couldn’t find him on the site and was worried he had quit so I went to his Facebook page and I saw the news. We’ve been Facebook friends since we met and I wish that I checked the stupid app more often so I would’ve known sooner. I feel guilty for not knowing until now. I saw him last on December 21, 2023, when I flew home for Christmas last year and went to Ruiz as I always do. It breaks my heart that only a month later he was gone. Steven was such a light in this world. He has the warmest aura and kindest soul. He was more than just my hair stylist, he was a friend.  I remember hugging him when I left the salon that day. A moment that I will now hold and cherish in my heart forever. I’m glad my last moment with him was full of happiness and love. I send my deepest condolences to his family and friends. I hope that this message isn’t too late. Steven will forever be loved by so many people. I deeply miss him and my heart aches. He is irreplaceable. May he rest in peace. 
-Jessie

Steven …. What can I say except you  will be missed… who knew that almost 10 years ago I would not only meet a great hair stylist but a dear friend. We would or I would tease you by saying “don’t ever leave me or divorce me as my stylist” but God had plans for you …. I know you are a guardian angel overseeing all your family and your Ruiz family.  I pray for your family to find peace and comfort with your loss.  You were so loved my friend💕🙏🏻😢💕🙏🏻 …. Toni L.

Dearest Steven, 

I am sure I will never be able to walk into the N. Lamar Salon without missing you: Seeing you patiently standing at the end of the entryway, hands behind your back, only to light up a beautiful smile when you spotted your next client walking through the front door. 

+++ 

Steven cut my hair for the last two years and while neither of use were big talkers, I remember some consistency in our sharing. He loved his Doc Martens! He loved travel and camping.  He would always share his joy of visits past and upcoming to a family’s home for the holidays; in particular, I believe,  Thanksgiving. He also shared trips he had just gone on and the ones he was planning. He was particularly looking forward to a camping road-trip with six of his friends over New Years. I hope it was a blast! 

Peace be with you always Steven.  What a sweet and gentle soul. 

Blessing over his family and friends. He will certainly be watching over them.  LM

I will always remember that you hated that drawer because it already freaked you out! Your laugh was one of my favorites! Glad I have this video to capture and remember it! Fly high Steven 🌹🤍

Halloween one year at the salon 🌹 I always did love your work costumes and your night out costumes! Your smile was one of the greatest!

My heart goes out to the Cantu Family. Steven was such a sweetheart and delightfully kind person.  Steven always talked about his family.   We would chat about his upcoming plans and it was always about his family.  He was always looking forward to a a visit with his mom, 
dad and brothers and their families.   He seems like a truly wonderful and supportive uncle, I remember him talking about taking his nephews for a sleepover so his brother and brother's wife could enjoy a night out. Steven was so thoughtful and proactive in planning how to have a great time with his nephews and family. There is no greater gift to give a couple in my personal opinion.  My heart goes out to the entire family,  but especially Steven's nephews.

Steven was such a talented stylist and so positive. He always made me feel great and empowered, he reassured me about my insecurities and never took advantage of my insecurities.  His ethics and character stand out.  I will miss him.  I appreciate the Ruiz Salon team for their heartfelt response.  I'm grateful for this community.

My most heart felt condolences, to the Cantu Family. He talked about yal all the time. He love you guys so much. All of my love. I know he' s making God crack up in Heaven. Looking all magnificent & handsome.

Steven has been a joy and light for me for years. I am so sorry for your loss, and I pray for peace that surpasses all understanding  your family.

Oh no. To know Steven was to love him. He’s so amazing this is such sad news. God be with his family. He was so talented and I loved his laugh and the impact he had in Austin. All my condolences to everyone….

I have felt so heartbroken since I heard of Steven's passing. 
I've known him since he started at Jackson Ruiz.
He always shared stories of his family and it was evident what a
loving family it is.  He definitely left this world too soon and 
for that the world shines less brightly today.  My deepest
condolences to his mom and dad and all of his family.  Steven will
surely be missed by us all.  I will miss Steven.

Steven was a very special person.  I met him at Jackson Ruiz salon, he was my cutter for years.  He was always was so professional and skilled, plus his personality welcomed me.  We had so many great visits and shared so much about family, friends, trips, food, & experiences!  I will forever treasure his friendship-I am so sad & shocked.  I will keep his loving family & friends in my prayers & thoughts.  He will be greatly missed.  May his loving memory give you comfort. 
With sympathy, Christy Kuehn

To Steven’s family, my deepest sympathies. I was a client of Steven’s for over 10 years and I will miss him very much. I always looked forward to visiting with him, and I appreciated his gentle, courteous, and smiling spirit. He always cut my hair better than anyone—got it just the way I like it every time. He gave the best shampoos too. So gentle and thorough. Always a pleasure to see him. I am so sorry.

To me, Steven was a gentle, quiet, unassuming giant with a large laugh. He was friendly and kind. I am so hurt that such a sweet soul is no longer here. I hoped for more for him, for him to live a long happy life, for him to continue bringing that quiet kindness to others.

My sweet Steven. I’m absolutely devastated. You’ve been there for some many important moments over the last decade and I’ll never be able to say enough about your spirit and your light. I’m going to miss you so much.

Steven's passing is a huge loss. I have been his client for many years and adore him. He was a wonderful guy with a huge heart and so much love for his friends and family. In fact, I always felt like I knew his family, as he would tell me stories about his parents and nieces/nephews every time I visited. He was so personable, kind, talented, friendly, and loving. And he told great stories! This is a big loss, and he will be remembered as a wonderful person who lived his life well. I'm so sorry about his loss. Mom & Dad Cantu, he loved you very much.

I am so very, very sad to hear of Steven's death, for he was way too young and such a wonderful person and, of course, fabulous hair stylist. I am not in Austin and just thankful that you shared the news with all of us who loved him. My condolences to his family.

Sherry Matthews

I am so sad and shocked to hear about the passing of  Steven.  I have been a client of Steven’s for over 10 years.  I will truly miss his  smile, laugh  and hugs when walking into the salon.  My condolences to the Jackson Ruiz staff and most of all his family and dear friends that he talked about.  Rest in peace Steven.

Steven is the only person in Austin who has ever cut my hair. I started seeing him soon after he started on the floor at Ruiz (and had finally decided to stop traveling back to Dallas for haircuts). He always asked about my mom, and I asked about his family, which he always talked about with so much love and with a smile. He was always so patient even if I brought my daughter to sit in my lap or had to work on my laptop through our appointment. I was excited to tell him it was time for bangs again at my next appointment! I had often thought about when I would bring my older daughter to him for her first grown up haircut. No one I was going to trust with that more than him. And I knew he would make it special. He is the most beautiful soul, and I will miss him dearly. I know it’s nothing compared to his colleagues and his dear family. What an amazing person. What joy he brought to so many.

My heart broke when I was told of Steven’s passing. He was genuinely one of the kindest people I have known. His laugh, his smile and his stories of family will always remain in my heart.  He loved his family more than anything and I pray his family feels that love as they grieve the loss of their beloved Steven. While he was my hair stylist,  I also considered him a friend. He has been cutting and styling my hair for 15 years and he always made me feel beautiful.  I will miss sitting in his chair and talking about our families, all the shows we were watching, plans for the holidays, vacations and music…..and how much I loved his hair long. He was an amazing person that will be missed greatly.

OBITUARY

Steven Gabriel Cantu

October 14, 1983 – January 30, 2024

Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services

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