Cloudy and Windy, 61° F
(June 24, 2007)
Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, June 29 at 10 a.m. at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church for John Cruz of Powell, 83, who died Sunday, June 24 at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, Mont.
He was born March 28, 1924, in Powell, son of Frank Cruz and Victoria (Ibarra) Cruz. He attended school through the 11th grade.
He served in the U.S. Army as a convoy driver.
He married Avelina Flores Feb. 3, 1951 in Powell. They lived in Powell where he was a truck driver and “backyard mechanic.” He was a member of the American Legion and the Catholic Church.
His family will remember John as a witty and charismatic man — always one for a good laugh, and who taught others that laughter is the best medicine. He was not one to be ashamed of his beliefs and opinions. He was a truce force to be reckoned with and will leave a void in the lives of his family members, who will deeply miss him.
Survivors include his wife Avelina of Powell; sons Victor (Silivia) Cruz, Joe Cruz and Steve (Gwen) Cruz, all of Powell, and Adam Cruz of Billings; daughters Juanita Diaz and Rose Cruz, both of Powell; brothers Pete Cruz of Fremont, Calif., Tim (Marge) Cruz of Powell and Martin Cruz of Salt Lake City, Utah; sisters Tomasa (Lupe) Macias of San Lorenzo, Calif., Elvira Bell of Byron, Rosilia (Art) Velasquez of Garden Grove, Calif., and Julia (Eddie) Mascarenas of Las Cruces, N.M.; sisters-in-law Vera Cruz of Pueblo, Colo., and Sally Cruz of Powell; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Tom Cruz; a daughter, Dolores Cruz; a sister, Mary Hayden; and brothers, Cosme and Valentine Cruz.
Rosary will be said tonight (Thursday) at 7 p.m. at St. Barbara’s. Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. prior to the rosary and one hour prior to the services on Friday, both at the church.
Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are by Thompson Funeral Home.
