Jose "Joe" Maria Cruz

          Funeral services for Jose “Joe” Maria Cruz, 75, of Diboll, will be held Monday, March 12, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. in the Shafer Funeral Home Chapel.

          Mr. Cruz was born May 29, 1942 in San Perlita, Texas, the son of Bartolo Cruz Sr and Elvira Salinas, and died Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in Galveston.

          Mr. Cruz loved to spend time with his family in his home town of Raymondville, Texas. Hunting was His passion, as well as being an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. Mr. Cruz loved Tejano music. Ruben Ramos and Little Joe were His Favorite singers.

          He is survived by his wife, Perla Hernandez of Diboll; son, Jose F. Cruz of San Marcos, TX; daughter and son-in-law, Monica and Adan Martinez of Huntington; daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Juan Hernandez of Lufkin; son, Armando Cruz of Albion, PA; daughter and son-in-law, Priscilla and Robert Hairsine of Fort Myers, FL; daughter and son-in-law, Erika and Eddie Riojas of San Marcos, TX; mother, Elvira Salinas Cruz; along with numerous grandchildren , great-grandchildren, 4 sisters, and 6 brothers.

          Mr. Cruz is preceded in death by his father, Bartolo Cruz Sr.; and sisters, Evangelina Caballero, and Faustina Vela.

          Honorary pallbearers will be Aidan Cruz, Jose Fernando Cruz, Armando Cruz, Tristan Garcia, Blaise Cruz, Dominic Hernandez, Sgt. Michael A. Martinez, Johnny Hernandez, Justin Mora, Vance Hardin, Dorian Hairsine, Christopher Hairsine, Kenny Martinez, and EJ Riojas.

          Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1893, Memphis, TN  38101.

          Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, March 11, 2018 at Shafer Funeral Home in Lufkin. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m.

          Cremation arrangements are under the Shafer Funeral Home, directors.

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