Cruz Sanchez, age 80, of El Paso, Texas passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. Cruz was born May 3, 1941 in El Paso, Texas to Engracia Flores de Sanchez and Francisco Cardiel Sanchez. Cruz graduated from Bowie High School where he was an accomplished football player (#52). He served his country in the Army during the Vietnam War. He retired from Safeway/Fleming Foods after 30+ years of service.
In his spare time, Cruz loved going to UTEP athletic games and following his favorite football team, the Dallas Cowboys. Cruz was joyful, generous, and loving to others, not just to his family. He supported various charities and believed true generosity came from the heart. This is exactly how he chose to live his life.
Aside from being survived by his three daughters (Ida, Isela, Irene) and two sons-in-law (Luis, Abelardo), Cruz also leaves behind his two brothers (Milton, David), a sister (Mary), two sisters-in-law (Carmen, Armida), a brother-in-law (Sergio), five nieces, five nephews, six grandchildren (Analia, Andrea, Gilbert, Brianna, Britney, Caleb), and four great-grandchildren (Alyssa, Niah, Leelan, Evangeline). He was preceded in death by his parents Francisco and Engracia, brother Francisco, sister-in-law Lupe, and great-grandson Jace.
A visitation for Cruz will be held Tuesday, December 28, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Funeraria Del Angel Central, 3839 Montana Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79903, with Vigil at 6:30 PM. (Vigil will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/fdacentral/) A funeral mass will occur Wednesday, December 29, at 9:30 AM at St Joseph Catholic Church, 3729 Hueco Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79903. A committal service will follow funeral mass at 11:00 AM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Avenue, Fort Bliss, Texas 79906.
