Raymond Adam Cruz

Raymond A. Cruz was gathered into the arms of His Lord and Savior on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Born in Ft. Worth, Texas, on December 28, 1933, Ray was the only sibling to ever be born in a hospital, which was always the reason the family gave for his drive and temperament. One of 16 children, there were many stories shared by his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and then his wife and children, that were uniquely “Ray”. His life reflected both brokenness and then redemption. In his later years he experienced a change of heart that his family will remember with grace, humility, and love that came to define his final chapter.

Much of his childhood was spent in Arkansas where the family worked on a farm. He loved telling the story of how his older brothers taught him how to swim by tossing him into the water at the local pond (a.k.a. “ The blue hole”) while in a small boat and yelling, “Kick your feet and move your arms!” Other tales from his siblings included Ray getting dragged by a goat he was trying to corral, or telling his older brothers that he “was a man” at age 5. His family moved to Waukegan, Illinois when he was a teenager where he completed two years of high school before entering the workforce to help provide for his family.

Ray was inducted into the United States Army on December 8, 1955, serving as a Lineman; traveling throughout Europe installing, operating, maintaining and/or supervising wire and cable communications systems and auxiliary equipment. Ray was honorably discharged November 20, 1957.

After returning from the army, Ray was introduced to his life-long love, Karen, by his sister Jessie. In 1959, Ray and Karen married and went on to raise 6 children over 66 years of marriage.

Ray was a natural athlete and mechanic. Many hours were spent working as a machinist with Goodyear to provide for his family. During his free time Ray could be found maintaining/repairing cars, working in the yard, or being called on by family members to help build/repair something. Ray enjoyed playing softball, bowling, and building special memories with his wife and children, camping across the country; from the Badlands to the mountains of Mexico to visit extended family. He was proud of his heritage and wanted his children to know their family story. He enriched our world during these trips with campfires, fishing, rodeos, seeing Old Faithful, Mt. Rushmore and so much more. We were left with lasting memories and lifetime experiences.

Ray faced any adversity, especially physical ones, with sheer determination and grit. He never saw himself as disabled as he slowly lost physical function due to the effects of brain surgeries and other illness. He mellowed as he aged, relishing time with his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Anyone who knew Ray; family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, or those who cared for him as he aged could tell you a “Ray story”. He loved people and never missed an opportunity to socialize. If he considered you a friend, it was life-long. Competitive in all things, be it a dominoes, bingo, or any game, he was there to win. Being early to any event was being punctual, the first to arrive and the last to leave.

A tireless volunteer when physically able, you could find Ray doing a variety of jobs. At times you might find him ushering, making coffee and putting out donuts for social time or cleaning the church. For many years he was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. Some of the activities he participated in were the annual Tootsie Roll drive to raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and volunteering with the Knights at the concession stand at Talladega. His final volunteer work was in the kitchen for Meals on Wheels at the senior center, because he wanted to be useful.

More than anything, Ray was proud of his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren who brought him such joy. While there are too many stories to share here, Ray came to love Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. This was a deeply personal relationship which was due to the care and persistence of his son Chris, even when Ray would push back. His daughter Ramona would have special “Daddy” time, especially when he went to live in the Coosa Valley Nursing Home this past year. Finally, his granddaughter Stephanie was Ray’s “Drill Sergeant” and devoted health care giver over the last year. We are so grateful for their love and care when the rest of us could not carry the load due to distance and life’s challenges. When Ray recently led his family in prayer there was not a dry eye to be found. This is a lasting memory of the life of an incredible man who now rests within Heaven with Jesus Christ and those who have gone before him.

This side of Heaven, Ray leaves behind his beloved wife of 66 years, Karen (Malthe) Cruz, Children: Debra (Sam) Overton, Ramona (Lane) Pettry, Chris (Michele) Cruz, Lenard (Debbie) Cruz, Alex (Pam) Cruz, Jamison Cruz, Grandchildren: Valerie (Adam) Spinks, Stephanie (Kelsoe) Pettry, Miranda Tyler, Samantha (Andrew) Brenner, Suzanne (Christopher) Workman, Jacob (Alexandra) Cruz, Raven Cruz, Gabrielle Cruz, Christopher Pitts, Julie Pitts, Rayna Pitts, Anna Cruz, and Benjamin Cruz, Brothers: Paul Cruz and Manuel (Janet) Cruz, Sister: Jessie Petrovic, along with numerous great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces. He is predeceased by his first granddaughter, Melanie Torres, parents, Ernesto and Francesca (Andrade) Cruz, brothers and sisters.

Ray’s memorial gathering will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 27, 2026 at St. James Catholic Church, 622 Chestnut Street, Gadsden, Alabama. Ray’s memorial Mass (or Liturgy of Christian Burial) will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the church; with Fr. Jose B. Chacko celebrating. Interment will take place at a later date at Southside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at the link below.

https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=9146875&fr_id=154020&pg=personal