A remarkable tribute will take place in Eureka, California, on December 1, 2023, as the monthly *Humboldt Heroes* ceremony honors both a father and son for their dedicated service in the armed forces. Roy Cantu and his father, Clemente Cantu, will be recognized for their contributions to the Army and Navy, respectively, marking a unique moment in the history of this event.
Clemente Cantu: A Legacy of Service
Clemente Cantu, affectionately known as Clem, was born in Casper, Wyoming, in February 1929. He moved to Alturas, California, during his teenage years. Facing limited opportunities in 1948, Clem enlisted in the Army, serving in Italy as part of the occupational forces in an infantry and band unit following World War II. His trumpet skills were a notable contribution during his service.
Clem met his wife, Maria, in Trieste, Italy, and they were married in 1949. The couple returned to the United States in 1952, along with their son Roy, after Clem was honorably discharged. The family eventually settled in Humboldt County in 1973, relocating from Redding, where Clem took on the role of manager and shop maintenance supervisor for the National Guard. He served as the company’s first sergeant in Eureka and retired in 1989 after a commendable 41 years of military service.
Clem is a former member of the Red Bluff Elks Lodge #1250 and the Eureka VFW Post 1872, where he served as Post Commander. He has also held the presidency of the Humboldt Amateur Radio Club, known as HARC. Despite the loss of Maria in 2019 after 76 years of marriage, Clem continues to express gratitude for life in Humboldt County, relishing the small-town atmosphere.
Roy Cantu: Following in His Father’s Footsteps
Born in Italy in October 1950, Roy Cantu followed his father’s military legacy by enlisting in the Navy on Veterans’ Day, November 11, 1968. His aim was to gain a technical education while serving, similar to his father’s path.
Roy’s military career included service aboard three nuclear ballistic missile submarines, where he completed 13 patrols across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans as a sonar and electronics technician. He later took on the role of quality assurance supervisor/auditor for Submarine Squadron 7 based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. After completing his instructor training, Roy advanced to master training specialist, where he educated students at the Fleet Submarine Warfare Center in San Diego. He retired as a chief petty officer in 1990, having dedicated 21 years to the Navy.
After retiring, Roy worked as an acoustic test technician for International Transducer Corporation in Santa Barbara. He moved to Eureka in 1994, where he met and married his wife, Lori. The couple recently celebrated their 40th anniversary. In Eureka, Roy pursued interests in photography and web design until his retirement in 2012. He appreciates the community and natural beauty of the area, enjoying close ties with family and friends.
The Humboldt community will gather to recognize these two distinguished veterans at the ceremony, which takes place at noon on December 1, 2023, in the lobby of the Eureka Inn, located at 518 Seventh Street.
Individuals interested in nominating local veterans for future *Humboldt Heroes* recognition or those wishing to support the ongoing program can contact State Farm insurance agent Scott Hammond at 707-444-2504.
