Julian Cruz Zavala

Julian spent many years working in the restaurant industry pursuing his love of cooking. He had recently become a union carpenter and was attending trade school for his journeyman license. In Julian’s youth, he danced Fantasia Ballet Folklorico for at least 10 years. He was very athletic and ran cross country.

Julian’s greatest accomplishment was becoming a father to Emiliano Julian Zavala-Quiroz with Maria Quiroz on October 24, 2009, Cruz Augustine Zavala on September 2, 2019, and Liliana Reign Zavala on April 24, 2021 with his girlfriend, Chelsy Thornton.

Julian is survived by his grandmothers Anita Martinez, Porfiria Zavala; grandfather, Juventino Zavala; siblings, Santiago Pena (Britney), Juan Zavala (Shawnee), Leticia Perez (Cody), Mauricio Zavala, Nina Perez (Cameron), Xochi Zavala (Rueben), Marcelo Perez; and many loved nieces, nephews, Tios, Tias, and their Nana’s and their Nono’s, and their Nina’s and their Nino’s nano nina no-nos!

Julian is preceded in death by his great grandparents, Maria Pena, Ramon Pena I, Ninfa Martinez, Manuel Martinez; grandfather, Ramon Pena II; brother, Manuel Elias Zavala; and his beloved nephews, Juan Carlos Zavala II, Ramiro Vicente Zavala, and Manolo Joaquin Zavala.

No one can fill your place in our hearts, Julian.

A visitation for Julian will be held Friday, January 7, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 East Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Zavala family.