On Saturday, February 22, 1958 at 9:58 pm Luis De La Cruz Jr. was born at home in Los Angeles, California to Rita Alcay De La Cruz and Luis De La Cruz Sr. Over the years, Luis would become known to many as Louie, Lou, and affectionately known to close friends and family as June Bug, Junior, or Juney.
Louie was the first born son to Rita Alcay De La Cruz and Luis De La Cruz Sr. and was a brother to his siblings Rosie, Sandy, Rudy, and Ceasar. Louie was also a brother to siblings from his Father Luis including Victor, Henry, Hugo, Andres, and Marcos. All of whom he loved dearly.
Although Louie only lived to see his 66th birthday with us, Louie had the honor and privilege of living, seeing and experiencing life through many aspects.
Growing up in Estrada Courts, a low income housing project community, in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of East Los Angeles, was a formative experience for Louie. He once described his childhood by sharing that he spent much of his childhood moving around and trying to survive an urban environment in which resources were limited and pitfalls lurked at every corner. Instead of turning to violence, he spent his youth diffusing gang activity by remaining neutral and negotiating with all sides to find non violent solutions. Louie always spoke fondly of his youth and the ways in which he was inspired in spite of the difficulties he faced, “Si se puede is what I have often saw living near the murals on the walls in the courts, my favorite is Dreams of Flight. I was a young kid when Cat Felix was conducting the summer programs painting murals in our community. From being a kid in the courts to meeting President Obama in 2012, it was an amazing experience and if I can just inspire other children that by believing in your dreams, it can bring prosperity and faith. If I am doing it, I know dam well many others can also make it happen. I will never forget where I come from and who I am from developing my character being a proud Homie from the hood…”
At the age of 17, Louie entered the United States Marine Corps and he met the woman with whom he would build a life and family with, Cindy Reyes. Together, they raised two daughters, Lorraine Bow De La Cruz and Lisa Joan De La Cruz-Caldera. In addition to being a Husband and Father, Louie was also the proud grandfather to 4 grandchildren. Jocelyn Marie Carrigan, Eva Inez Caldera, Amber Rose Carrigan, and Stevie Luis Caldera.
In 2006, Louie became an entrepreneur and opened the doors to Andale Construction company which he continued to manage and care for throughout the duration of his life. His road to President and CEO was a long, hard journey which began when he was only teenager working in construction as a sweeper for a construction company in southern California. From being a sweeper, he became a general laborer digging holes then moved on to being a foreman and by the time he moved to Phoenix for a job as a light rail inspector in 2005, he had been managing and operating several multi million dollar companies throughout the construction industry. Throughout Louie’s career, his work ethic was unparalleled. He once shared, “I worked every day so, if I failed, I could still look at myself in the mirror and say, ‘at least you gave it your best shot.’”
Louie, his business partners, and the Andale company received several accolades including the Arizona Minority Business Enterprise Center’s Minority Contractor of the Year Award in 2008. He was also a finalist for the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious IMPACT award.
Over the years, Louie’s vision for business and partnerships took him many places. Always wanting to leave things better than he found them and to inspire others. Louie’s list of accomplishments reached far and wide including a meeting with President Obama in which they discussed the importance of empowering minority owned small businesses and how the Latino population was the brown sugar of our country. “Small business is big business”, is something Louie reminded us all about through his own accomplishments.
In the final years of his life, Louie continued to live out the mission with which he had first begun as a young boy growing up in Estrada Courts which was to help others and give back wherever he could do so. Beyond his professional accolades, Louie also touched many hearts and lives, leaving those around him forever changed. In many ways, Louie was also an artist and poet. In addition to the memories and wisdom we all gained from Louie, he also leaves behind, for us, the following excerpts from his personal memoirs…
“The journey is not easy, but it will be rewarding as you prepare to position yourself for the next chapters in your legacy that you are writing.”
“Bring along the good relationships and build the foundation through your faith in Christ.”
“Learn to endure sadness and happiness that life will present to help you become the awesome person that you are!”
“Remember you are your own CEO and you are a business, you have invested many dollars and hours in who you are. Make the most of your ROI (Return on Investment)”
“In business as in life- you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate!”
“I love you as you (Lisa) and Lorraine are making me a very proud father. With your management of your families: The motherhood role and hardworking ladies. Your heart will never let you down, Love Dad”
“May your 2024 be delivered in a way that will help you grow with courage, love and forgiveness. Love Dad, Grand pa and the man that always has you in his heart.”
We bid farewell to our father, grandpa, brother, cousin, Tío, and friend, Luis De La Cruz Jr., who departed from this world on Friday, May 24, 2024, at the age of 66. A pillar of strength and a beacon of love, his absence leaves a void in our hearts.
Louie’s loving spirit is carried on by his former wife, Cindy; their children, Lorraine, Lisa, his son in laws; Anwar and Steve, and his grandchildren; Jocelyn, Eva, Amber, and Stevie along with his siblings and a host of friends and extended family. Preceding him in peace were his parents, Rita and Luis.
Remember me
Though I have to say goodbye
Remember me Don't let it make you cry
For even if I'm far away I hold you in my heart
I sing a secret song to you Each night we are apart
Remember me
Though I have to travel far
Remember me Each time you hear a sad guitar
Know that I'm with you
The only way that I can be
Until you're in my arms again
Remember me
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