Ramon Cardenas

Friday, Oct. 24, 2025

July 2, 1933 ~ Friday, September 26

Ramon Cardenas passed away on September 26, 2025 at the age of 92, surrounded by his family and in the arms of his loving wife Liliana.  

Ramon was born on July 2, 1933, in San Luis Potosi, Mexico to Rosa Cardenas. Ramon spent his early years in San Luis working for Al Libro Mayor, a historic bookstore and stationary business that instilled in him a work ethic that he carried throughout his life.  

In the mid-1950s Ramon immigrated to the United States, landing in Salt Lake City. He held a variety of jobs in Salt Lake City before leaving for San Francisco, California. Ramon married Maria Quinonez, the woman who would steer him into cooking and the restaurant industry.  Together they embarked on building a good life for themselves and their children, Lucy and Ramon Jr. 

In 1965, the family moved to Salt Lake City and took over a restaurant, The Casa Grande, which they operated for 20 years. They established the Red Iguana in 1985. That same year, the Casa Grande closed its doors, and they never looked back.   

Ramon had passion for life. He loved his friends, he loved parties, he liked to do things right, he loved a good bar.  He touched so many people, so many lives, so many hearts. His purveyors loved working with him, his staff adored him. 

In 1997, Maria’s health started to decline; Ramon took great care of her after she was diagnosed with dementia. After Maria’s death, Ramon’s zest for life could not be extinguished. He met Liliana Jimenez and married her in 2009 at Red Iguana 2 on New Year’s Eve. 

Ramon’s health started to decline two years ago but his smile, his joy, his love, remained intact for all his loved ones and pets. Ramon is survived by his wife Liliana Cardenas; daughter Lucy Cardenas (Bill Coker); granddaughter Zara Cardenas; goddaughter Gladys Duenas; and brothers Raudel, Eduardo and Amador, Salazar (Mexico).  

The family is grateful for Intermountain Hospice and the wonderful staff there, especially Rebekah; and to Ramon’s doctors and nurses who crossed his path, thank you.

A funeral Mass was celebrated on October 9, 2025 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made in Ramon’s name to the Rose Park Neighborhood Center & Good Samaritan Foundation: https://gsfutah.org/