Servando B Cardenas, Jr.

Servando “Sam” Belmarez Cardenas, Jr., age 79, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2026, in Houston, Texas. Born on October 19, 1946, in Simonton, Texas, he lived a life marked by devotion—to his faith, his family, and his country.

Sam was the beloved husband of Sylvia for 56 years and a devoted father to Melissa (Ayres), Christopher Michael, and Brittany (Pacheco). He also cherished his role as father-in-law to John Pacheco. His legacy continues through his grandchildren Cameron, Liane and her husband Ethan Garrow, and Andrea, and great-grandchildren Madelyn and Lukas. He also leaves behind his sisters Elizabeth Lopez and Evangelina Cardenas, numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Servando Sr. and Isabel, as well as his brother Robert.

A proud veteran of the United States Navy, Sam served honorably from 1967 to 1970 as a Petty Officer Third Class (PO3) aboard the USS Mattaponi AO-41. Stationed out of San Francisco, California, he traveled extensively during his service—visiting the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Singapore, and Vietnam. His time in the Navy remained a source of pride throughout his life; he often reminisced about those years with fondness and gratitude.

Following his military service, Sam built a long-standing career in floor installations. Known for his strong work ethic and attention to detail, he worked for various companies before advancing into a supervisory management role later in life. His dedication to hard work was matched only by the care he showed toward those around him.

Faith played a central role in Sam’s life. As a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—a decision he made proudly in his youth—he served faithfully in many callings within the church. Among these were roles as First and Second Counselor in the Bishopric. He lived each day grounded in unwavering belief that all things were guided by the Lord’s hands and timing.

Sam’s vibrant personality brought joy to everyone he met, whether he was sharing stories from his Navy days, speaking with heartfelt conviction about his faith, or cheering on his beloved Houston teams, especially the Astros, Rockets and Texans. He also found happiness in music and entertainment, attending concerts, going to dances, enjoying action films, comedies, Westerns and television shows. He also played softball, golf and was in a bowling league with Sylvia—simple pleasures that brought them closer together.

Those who knew Sam will remember him as kind-hearted and fun-spirited—a man who balanced strength with gentleness and faith with humility. His presence left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to share in his journey. May his memory bring comfort to all who loved him and continue to inspire lives rooted in faith, family, service, and love.

The family respectfully request an adults-only gathering.

A visitation and funeral will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026. Visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m. and the funeral will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Veterans Funeral Services located at 10567 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038. The interment will begin at 2:15 p.m. at the Houston National Cemetery located at 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038.