Juan Eric Cantu, 77, of Kinston, entered his eternal rest on January 2, 2024. He was born in Lenoir County on February 12, 1946, to Felipe Aguilar and Lora Belle Stroud Cantu. He was a member of the Class of ’64 at Grainger High School. Eric enlisted in the US Army in 1964, participating in the Vietnam War, and returned home. He married Linda “Starr” Ormand. He worked at EI DuPont for three years before moving his career as an Equipment Installer with Automatic Electric Co. in Illinois. He married Sandra Lynn Millikin (Durrance). He returned to Kinston and earned his Industrial Maintenance degree from Lenoir Community College in 1987. He married Barbara Carol Ipock Cannon in 1991 and earned his horticultural degree in 1992.

He was an avid radio control modeler and a founding member of Kinston Aeromodellers. He was one of the original graduates of the Master Gardener program with the Agriculture Extension Office. He was a member of American Legion Post 43, a founding member of AmVets Post 1111, Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars 2771 for ten years and served on the North Carolina VFW Color Guard for six years. He was the President of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 892 for six years and served on the North Carolina State Council of the Vietnam Veterans of America. He was a charter board member with the CSS Neuse Foundation. He served on the Salute!, a tribute to America’s Veterans committee for 21 years and was the founder of GI Joe’s Living Military History Museum.

Survivors include Carol, his loving wife of 32 years; sons, Joey Rice of Beaufort, Jon Kristen Cantu of Kingsport, TN, Eric Brandon Cantu of Pittsburgh, PA, Michael Ray Cannon of Kinston, David Loran Cantu (Amanda) of Snow Hill; daughters, Carmen Michelle Cantu Baker (Tee) of Cedar Point, and Alicia Carol Cannon of the home. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Ashley (John), Brandon, Bethany (Nick), Ethan, Logan, Austin, Brice, Landon, Kristen, Kaerston, Kris, Marcandra, Sebastain, Izaiah, Keymiah, Gabrial, Jayah, and Ezekiel; his six great-grandchildren; brothers, Michael Cantu (Susan), Kim Cantu (Lori Anne); and sister, Teri Lavin (John). He touched many lives and was called grandad by many others who did not have a relationship with their own family.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his first two wives, and his oldest son, Tracy Lee Crouch.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday at 2pm at the Walk of Honor, Herritage St, Kinston. Burial with military honors will follow in Westview Cemetery. Friends and family are invited back to GI Joe’s for a time of sharing memories of Eric. The family will receive friends Saturday from 3-5pm at Edwards Funeral Home and other times at GI Joe’s. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Salute! – GI Joe’s, 1165 Hwy 11 S, Kinston, NC 28504.