Troy Noel Cantu taught his family and everyone who met him how to love. Born June 25, 2010, to Delbert Cantu and Leticia (Gonzalez) Cantu, Troy joined his sister, Crystal, and brother, Travis, to complete the Cantu family of Plano, Texas. Troy passed away on December 17, 2023, leaving behind cherished memories of his love of adventure, quest for attention, and ability to always have a good time.
Diagnosed with Schaaf-Yang Syndrome as an infant, Troy and his family never let the rare neurodevelopmental disorder stop them from having fun. Troy screamed with excitement during his epic games of hide and seek with Travis. He adored Crystal, even when she teased him in ways only a big sister can.
While Troy’s biggest goal in life was winning the attention of his devoted mom and dad, he didn’t need to try too hard. Delbert and Lety were always up for fun with Troy. Troy and Delbert loved their outings to Home Depot and Best Buy. Lety enjoyed taking Troy to local festivals, family parties, quinceañeras … any place for a good time with some dancing.
Born into a devoted Catholic family, Troy loved attending Mass at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church. In October, he received the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation. To his family and friends from church, Troy was an example of the unconditional and all-consuming love of God … through the joy Troy always exhibited and by the total and selfless love showered on him every day by Delbert, Lety, Crystal, and Travis.
Troy attended Haggard Middle School in Plano and was in the 8th grade. He loved the bus drivers and riding the bus, playing with his classmates and his school friends, and learning in class with his amazing teachers. He also took classes at Studio 3 Dance and enjoyed moving to the music and playing with the props. Troy regularly posted photos to social media (often to the surprise of his parents) and built a modest following on Snapchat and Google Maps, where he was a verified local guide.
Troy is survived by his parents, Delbert and Lety Cantu of Plano, Texas; sister, Crystal; brother, Travis, also of Plano, Texas; grandparents, David “Mike” and Viola Cantu of Falfurrias, Texas; grandmother, Rosalia Loya de Gonzalez of Tutuaca, Chihuahua, Mexico; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of other loving family.
Troy was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Rafael Gonzalez and uncle, Victor Rafael Jr. Gonzalez.
A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, December 21, 2023, at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1201 Alma Drive, Plano, Texas 75075. Troy will be inurned at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church Columbarium at a later date.
The family will receive friends during a visitation on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North in Allen, Texas 75013. The rosary service will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Donations can be made in memory of Troy Cantu to St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church at stmarkplano.org/donate, Make-A-Wish Foundation, or a Foundation for Schaff-Yang (Prader-Willi) Research.