Eliberto Cantu Olivares

Eliberto “Bert” or “Beto” Cantu Olivares was born the sixth of seven children to Encarnacion Villarreal Olivares and Petra Cantu Olivares in McAllen, Texas on October 28, 1922. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Celia “Sally” Reyes Olivares. He is survived by his four children: Cynthia “Cindy” Olivares McArthur, Eliberto “Albert” Olivares, Jr., Alfred “Al” Olivares, and Tammy Olivares Pearce and their spouses. Additionally, he is survived by twenty-five grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. Betos early years were spent helping his father with his farming and carpentry work. When Beto was just seven years old, he was sent to live with his aunt in Monterrey, Mexico, to have better opportunities with his education. He spent most of his youth there getting to know and love his grandfather, Francisco Cantu, and the many relatives there in Mexico. He would go home to McAllen once a year and he spent cherished moments there with his family. While in Mexico, he spent some time in college studying to become a doctor. Later, Bert decided that a medical career was not for him and he went to live in Los Angeles. It was at this point that he began to learn to speak English. While in Los Angeles, Bert had several jobs including working for the railroad. He also worked as a meat-packer and for Nash California Company which was an automotive company in the 1950s. Bert eventually came to work for Chevrolet GM (Fletcher Jones Chevrolet, Clippinger Chevrolet, Jones Chevrolet, Ben Niemi Buick) as a top car salesman. He earned many awards, which included trips to Hawaii, the Bahamas, El Salvador, Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas. None of his successes, however, were more important to him than his family. In the late 1940s, Bert met the most important person in his life, Celia “Sally” Reyes. They met at a ballroom dance. Sally was trying to avoid the attention of an unwanted suitor and hid behind Bert. One dance lead to another and Bert knew he found the woman of his dreams. In 1949, he asked Sally to be his girl. Soon after, he proposed marriage. After six years of courtship she finally agreed to marry him. September 10, 1955, they were married in Los Angeles, California. They spent 54 happy years together. They were completely devoted to one another, to their children and grandchildren. Happy memories include the many family vacations to Yosemite, Bass Lake, Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, McAllen, Texas and Mexico. Sally was called to her Heavenly Home on March 2, 2009. Bert continued to be a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. On April 4, 2014 they were reunited in Heaven. Unconditional love, kindness, concern, and devotion to all of those he loved will be his everlasting legacy. Visitation Sierra Memorial Chapel Mortuary 951-687-0551 | Thursday 4/17, 9:00 am - 11:00 am Service Sierra Memorial Chapel Mortuary 951-687-0551 | Thursday 4/17, 11:00 am Cemetery Rose Hills Memorial Park Thursday 1/1