Damian E. Cantu

Damian passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 27, 2021 at the age of 46. He passed away a day after celebrating his final birthday. Damian held many titles in his life such as son, brother, primo, friend/homie, and comedian (Tha Lil O.G.) But the titles he cherished the most were Tio and Dad.

Damian grew up in Granger, a place he took great pride in. The tight-knit community fostered his love of sports and community events. Although he was not physically able to participate in the sports, he and his twin brother were managers of the football and wrestling teams growing up in Granger.

Damian was always “loyal to the soil” as he would say, for as long as we can remember. He was a huge Washington sports fanatic. His favorite teams were the Granger Spartans, WSU Cougars, and Seattle Seahawks/Sonics/Mariners.

As a teenager, Damian worked as a custodian assistant for Granger High School and he was very proud of it. Shortly after, Damian and his twin brother were in a very bad car accident with some friends. Due to his healing process, he was not able to walk with his graduating class in ‘93. Damian persisted and eventually walked at graduation the following year in ‘94. I believe this major event set the tone for the rest of his life, which was that he became a survivor-someone who was always going to do whatever it took to get things done.

Shortly after high school, Damian began a career at Yakima Bait Co. in Granger, where he worked for 10+ years. He was always generous with his earnings. He was always willing to give and help out family anyway he could. Damian was one of the most generous people this family has ever known, even with limited resources.

A few years after retiring from Yakima Bait Co. Damian settled down and started a family. He fathered four beautiful children in total. In between growing his family, he had experienced another major life event where he lost his mother and twin brother within a year’s time. This took a very big toll on him. But Damian being the person he was, he overcame that pain and used it as fuel to be the best father he could be for his children.

Damian enrolled into college at Heritage University where he attended for almost four years and was just a few credits shy of earning his Bachelor’s Degree. This was due to a major neck surgery. During his time at Heritage, he networked with his professors and fellow classmates. There he had ample opportunities to meet amazing people who treated him and his children like family. Damian was involved in many programs and events at Heritage. He always included his children in the events. This was a really great time in his life. It was very memorable for him as he got to attend college with his closest family member. This made his family very proud.

Although Damian had experienced many difficult life events, in recent years he really did the best he could to turn things around for himself and his children. He began attending church, where he met people who became a second family to him. Damian was baptized in the presence of his closest family, church family, and his children. This was such a joyous day for Damian and those closest to him. A few weeks later, two of his children followed in his footsteps and were baptized as well. Damian was so proud, it was a beautiful moment in his life.

Damian was a supportive father, who was highly involved in his children’s lives. He always fostered his sons’ love of sports and was their biggest fan. He was always making memories with his children, participating with them in just about every school/community event that he had the opportunity to. He had a unique relationship with each and every one of his children. He catered to all of their different needs the best he could. His children were the greatest joy of his life.

There is not enough that can be said about Damian that would do him justice. He was truly one of a kind. He was kind, generous, loyal, considerate, hard-working, persistent, the list goes on. He brought so much joy and laughter into so many lives and will be greatly missed by countless people, especially those closest to him. He is survived by his four children Damian Eduardo Jr, Monique Anissa, Esteban Jesus, and Divinity Maria Cantú, his nephew Abel Benjamin Cantú, Jr and his niece Averie Lynn Cantu-Sandoval. He is also survived by countless family and friends who were very dear to him.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Monday, April 5, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA.  Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA. Inurnment will follow at the Calvary Cemetery in Yakima, WA at 1:00 p.m.  Those wishing to sign Damian's online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements

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