Albert M Cruz

On Monday, February 15th, 2021, Albert Morales Cruz, loving husband, and father of six children, passed away at age 90. Albert was born on April 8th, 1930, in San Antonio, Texas, to Petra Morales and Pedro Cruz. He attended Fox Tech High School where he showed an interest and aptitude for mechanics. He enlisted in the Air National Guard in 1947 at Brooks Army Airfield in Texas before graduating from Fox Tech in 1948. Albert fostered his passion for airplanes by completing the Airplane and Engine Mechanics Course at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas.

Shortly after the start of the Korean War, Albert was called to active duty on October 26th, 1950. Albert served at the Itazuke Air Force Base in Japan where he performed major aircraft overhauls and jet engine replacements. Staff Sergeant Cruz returned to the United States on June 25, 1952 and was honorably discharged from active duty. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal.

Albert continued to serve in the Texas Air National Guard as a Jet Engine Technician for the 182nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron and was promoted to Technical Sergeant. He was honorably discharged from the Air National Guard on April 10, 1959. Albert continued to work at Kelly Air Force Base as a Civil Service aircraft mechanic working his way to be a Quality Assurance Inspector. Throughout his military and civilian careers, he worked on a variety of aircraft including the F-51 Mustang, F-84 Thunderjet, B-52 Stratofortress, and C-5A Galaxy.

Albert was gentle, humble, and strong. He was a traveler who visited many countries including Algeria, Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Morocco, and Spain. He was a brilliant man who could fix or build anything. A man who valued God and family over all else. An adoring husband who accompanied his wife to the ballet and symphonies. A father who converted an old bread truck into a camper just so he could bring his family along on adventures. A grandfather who would fly over speed bumps just to make his granddaughter giggle. A man who enjoyed a cold beer, a clever joke, and a quiet chuckle.

He was preceded in death by his father, Pedro, his mother, Petra, his brother Hector, and his son, Stephen. He is survived by his loving wife, Esther, his five children, Duane (wife Janie), Patricia (husband Nils Smith), Diane (husband John Hernandez), Rosanne (husband David Adams), and Paul (wife Lynne), his brother Roger (wife Elizabeth), his sister Helen (husband Les Bullock), twelve grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family requests you make a donation in memory of Albert Cruz to St. Vincent de Paul of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Boerne, TX, Haven for Hope, or the Veronica Nicole Finnie Fund for Children and Families in the Catholic Charities Endowment.