Antonio (Tony) Cruz, Sr.

Antonio (Tony) Mojica Cruz, age 77, of Temple passed away Friday, July 10, 2009 in a local hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Monday, July 13 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Rev. Ramiro Tarazona as celebrant. Burial will follow at Bellwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be 6:00 PM Sunday, July 12, and a rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Mr. Cruz was born on October 21, 1931 in Temple to Concepcion and Luz (Mojica) Cruz. Tony retired from the Santa Fe Railway Company in September, 1993 after 43 years of service, most of it as a Track Supervisor for the Texas Division. During his time on the railroad, many bonds and friendships were developed and on several occasions he had said that he "missed being around the people he had worked with". He was a loving and dedicated husband, father, brother, grandfather, neighbor and friend to all. His passions included life, family, traveling, fishing and finding old friends and making new ones. His strong ties to family and friends and to the Lord will always be remembered and cherished. He will be missed by all that were touched with his warm smile and sense of humor. His family would like to take this occasion to thank the many friends and former coworkers for the kindness given during this time of grief, and over the course of the years, especially Ms. Romo and family of Lubbock for the love and care and devotion they all gave to Tony. His passing will create a void in many lives and will be difficult to fill but his memory shall remain with us. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Ernest and Guadalupe. Survivors include his wife, Jessie Cruz, two sons, Albert Cruz and wife, Lisa of Temple, Tony Cruz, Jr. and family of Brownwood, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his brothers and sisters, Lucy, Connie, Francis, Nicholasa, Jessie, Joe, Janie, Adolph and Concepcion, Jr. and a host of extended family and friends. Pallbearers are Albert Cruz, Tony Cruz, Jr., Jessie Cruz, Joe Cruz, Concepcion Cruz, Jr. and Adolph Cruz.