Aurelio Rivera Cruz

Aurelio Cruz passed away peacefully at home in Burleson, Tx on Sunday December 4, 2022. He was blessed by our Lord with 88 wonderful years of life born to Maria and Jesus Cruz on September 25, 1934 in Sebastian, Tx.

A loving husband and father, Aurelio was a hardworking and independent man dedicated to providing for his family. He enjoyed a long and successful career in law enforcement serving his community and he served our country in the US Army before marrying the love of his life Lilia Perez. They began their spiritual journey as one on October 13, 1957.

As a young man, he worked many years on the family farm helping to manage the crops, farmland, cattle, and other farm animals. He helped in his father's general store in the small rural town of Sebastian where he lived before joining the military in the US Army stationed in the state of Georgia. Upon his return he moved to Harlingen with his wife and first two children.

In Harlingen he worked in the service industry as a taxi driver, an armoured truck driver, and a firefighter before building his career in law enforcement. He began as a police officer, moving up as detective, and then joining the narcotics task force. He later became the Chief of Police at Texas State Technical College (TSTC). He also owned a full service Air Conditioning business with a partner. Retiring early, he and his wife moved to NY State for several years to be with family in a time of need. Upon their return from NY they spent several years in East Texas enjoying his retirement traveling, gardening, and spending leisurely time at home together. Aurelio enjoyed fishing and hunting with friends and cousins, and perfecting his BBQ grilling skills and sharing those skills and many others with his children. He was blessed with several grandchildren and great grandchildren who fondly called him Papa or Pops. He loved each of them dearly and enjoyed spending fun times and making special memories with them. Aurelio and his wife Lilia left their home in Harlingen in 2010 to be near their three daughters making their final resting place in the DFW area the past 12 years.

Aurelio is preceded in death by his youngest daughter Beatrice McDonough November 7, 2022 and his loving wife Lilia P. Cruz November 23, 2020.

He is survived by his children Rick (Letty) Cruz, Blanche (J.R.) Tubb, Bob (Marta) Cruz, and Belinda (Gilbert) Rosales, grandchildren Michelle Garcia, Ricky Cruz, Trey Tristan, Mike Cruz, Erica Siller, and Luke Rosales. He is survived as well by eight great grandchildren Davian, Zarhya, Joaquin, Quentin, Elina, Kennedy, Reagan, and Bella, many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Shannon Rufe Snow Dr Funeral Chapel 6001 Rufe Snow Dr, Fort Worth, Tx. Visitation will begin at 10am with a service at 11am followed by interment at DFW National Cemetery in Dallas, Tx.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.shannonrufesnow.com