Nicholas Cardoza Obituary

Cardoza Nicholas (Nick/Nicky/Nick-Nick) Benedict Cardoza passed away suddenly in an accident just North of Lakeview Oregon on Tuesday July 1, 2025. He was a hero - hauling a full load of perlite in his truck, he swerved to avoid hitting another driver.

Nicholas was born February 12, 1964, in San Luis Obispo, California to Anthony and Patricia (Ruda) Cardoza, joining brothers Tony and Matt Cardoza.

They all grew up going to the Mission San Luis Obispo for mass. They lived in San Luis Obispo until August of 1972 when they moved up to Lake County and had a farm out in Thomas Creek.

Nick grew up farming and haying with his dad and brothers and had a passion for that work from a young age. Nick graduated from Lakeview High School in 1982 and started truck driving not long after that - first with long haul loads with his best friend Steve Perry and then more on the West Coast - Oregon and California. Nick lived outside of Lake County a few times but always returned home and loved Lake County.

When he passed, he was working for Dog Lake Construction, he really enjoyed his job and his coworkers, he liked being local so he could be home every night. Going to the coast was one of his favorite activities on the rare occasion that he took some days off work.

Nick was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Patricia Cardoza and his best friend Steve Perry.

Nick is survived by one son - Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Tracen Cardoza and wife Shelby, brother Tony Cardoza and wife Nita in Paisley, brother Matt Cardoza and wife Cathy in Wyoming, girlfriend Nora Taylor, best friends (like family) - Annie Clayborn, Tonya Clayborn, Daniel Decker, Teddy Collins, Shirley Boone, Scott Mobley and the entire Dog Lake crew and numerous other friends and family.

Movin' On would be what Nick would want us to do. That was the TV show that inspired him to be a truck driver when he was very young. He was one of the best truck drivers and he had been driving trucks for over 40 years (hauling hay, watermelons, lumber, rock, perlite are just some of what he hauled).

He was kind and helpful to just about anyone who needed help - especially other truck drivers. This past winter he found another truck driver who was stuck near Valley Falls and he stopped to help him - the guy needed a shovel to dig out and Nick gave him his shovel and asked him to leave it by the fence - Nick wasn't sure he would get that shovel back - but it was there when he went back on his return trip.

Nick would want everyone to keep on working and taking care of their property, businesses and family. He was very consistent and thrived on having a routine every day. He would also want everyone to visit Virginia City, NV - that was his favorite place to visit outside of Lake County.

Holy Rosary will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church on Monday, July 7, at 6pm, and the graveside service will be held on Tuesday July 8, at 2pm at the Sunset Park Cemetery. A reception afterwards will be held at Lakeview Eagles Lodge; it will be a potluck for the side dishes (main dish will be provided). Everyone is welcome to attend and tell stories about Nick and meet his family and friends.

Memorial contributions can be made in Nick's memory to Wreaths Across America - supporting the Lake County Cemeteries. Wreaths Across America for Lake County Oregon - www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/OR0055P. Or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Desert Rose Funeral Chapel is overseeing the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed, or the guest book signed online at www.desertrosefuneralchapel.com.