Leovardo Ramirez Cruz

It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the passing of Leovardo R. Cruz Sr., 86, of Yakima, WA. On January 2, 2025, he was called home. Leovardo was born on December 22, 1938, in Catarina, TX, to Leon and Cresencia Cruz. The Cruz family later moved to Sunnyside, WA, and Leovardo eventually settled in Yakima, WA. It was there that he met the love of his life, Leola Cruz, in May 1984. They were married just three months later, in August, and shared 40 wonderful years together.

Leovardo enjoyed traveling, taking road trips, woodworking, gardening, watching cowboy movies, and singing. If he was singing, you knew it was a good day. He seemed to know every song imaginable. He also spent countless hours at Renegade Raceway, cheering on his boys as they drag raced. Cruz Racing became a well-known name in the community.

However, baseball was his greatest passion. He even coached his two boys when they were young. He loved the game so deeply. If he wasn’t at the fields cheering on his grandchildren during their baseball or softball games every spring and summer, you could find him at home, comfortably seated in his chair, watching a game.

The most important thing to Leovardo was his family. He had four children, two stepchildren, 16 grandchildren—Nicanor Inocencio, Lindsey Cruz, Christine Williams (Will), Austin Cruz, Kassy Cruz, Alene Mackey (Carson), Thomas Speer, Wesley Speer (Brooke), Samantha Speer, Melissa, Ben, Natalie, Gabrielle, Alicia, Adam, and Jessica Record—and 15 great-grandchildren.

If you needed anything, all you had to do was ask, and he would gladly give you the shirt off his back. Leovardo was a hard worker from an early age. Traveling and working in the fields alongside his family, he developed a strong work ethic that he passed down to his children and grandchildren. He worked as an Agriculture Foreman for Woodworth Farms and later retired in 1995 from Matson Fruit, where he worked as a Forklift Driver and Mechanic.

Leovardo was deeply loved by many and gave just as much love in return. His smile was contagious, and his stories will be cherished forever. He is survived by his beautiful wife Leola Cruz; his two daughters, Maria Smythe (Steve) and Deanna Cruz Speer; his two sons, Leonard Cruz (Esmeralda) and Leo Cruz Jr. (Michelle); his stepson, Marvin Record; and his stepdaughter, Barbara Dubell. He is also survived by his three brothers, Leon Jr., Abel, and Lupe, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Leon; his mother, Cresencia; his brothers, Alfredo, Cristobal, Conception, Gilberto, and Regulo; his sisters, Maria Oralia and Cleotilde; his eldest grandson, Nicanor (Nicky) Inocencio; and his stepson, Monte Record.

A service will be held on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Keith and Keith Funeral Home in Yakima, WA, with burial to follow at Terrace Heights Memorial Park. We will gather to honor Leovardo’s life, legacy, and the love he shared with everyone around him. May his memory bring comfort to all who knew and loved him. To leave a message for the family please visit keithandkeith.com