Joe Cantu Cruz, Jr.

Joe was raised in Brownsville, Texas and attended Brownsville High School where he played football and grew up working in the family owned business, Cruz Shoes in downtown Brownsville. Growing up with his four brothers and two sisters, there was never a dull moment in the Cruz House. In 1979, Joe married his high school sweetheart, Aurora "Bodie" Pena. Shortly after their wedding, Joe and Bodie moved to Houston to start their family. He continued the family tradition by selling shoes at the Galleria Mall where he mastered the art of being a salesman. He worked long hours while balancing his work and family life, coaching his two son's baseball and soccer teams and taking his family on vacations. After many years in the shoe business, he was introduced to selling cars.

Joe worked tirelessly and loved his new job. He had become such a great salesman that in 1992, he was afforded the opportunity to go back home to the Rio Grande Valley to take on a management position at Knapp Chevrolet. He made many close friends while working in the car business. Joe and Bodie built a beautiful home in Los Fresnos, Texas where they watched their sons Joseph and Mikey play sports and graduate high school. This is also where they welcomed their third son, Christian, into the world. Joe loved to host barbeques and holiday gatherings at his home in Los Fresnos. He also enjoyed taking his family to the beach and on fishing trips on his time off from work.

In 2007, Joe and Bodie moved to San Antonio, Texas to start a new chapter in life and to be closer to their children and grandchildren. In San Antonio is where Joe really started to flourish as a decorated and award-winning salesman, winning countless salesman of the month, and four Salesperson of the Year awards. Joe enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports and was always there to cheer them on. In his San Antonio home is where he would also spend numerous hours of quality time with Bodie, outside by the pool relaxing and planting flowers together.

Joe was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend. He was an inspiration to many and was very much known for his big hugs and contagious laughter and smile. He loved his family unconditionally and would do anything for his dear wife, Bodie.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Maria Luisa Cruz, and aunt, Sister Beatrice Cruz.

He is survived by his father, Joe Cruz Sr; his wife of 41 years, Aurora "Bodie" Cruz; his children, Joseph (Christina), Michael and Christian Cruz; sisters, Chayo Cruz and Melba (Valentin) Montemayor; brothers, Rick (Francis), Larry, Michael (Sylvia) and Robert (Cabernet) Cruz; 4 grandchildren, Cailey, Jaden, Jacob and Alana Cruz; and many nieces and nephews in the Rio Grande Valley and Houston, Texas.

Visitation will be on Monday, August 17, 2020 from 11:00 am to 3:00 p.m. at Porter Loring

FUNERAL SERVICE

MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020

3:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING CHAPEL

A recording of his service from Monday, August 17, at 3:00 p.m is available below.