Jack Santa Cruz, 95, of Marietta, Georgia passed away peacefully on Friday, July 7, 2023. Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Helen; sons Scott (Kim) Santa Cruz of Huntersville, NC, Paul Santa Cruz of Sandy Springs, GA and Mark (Lory) of Marietta, GA; and grandchildren Paula Jane Santa Cruz of Atlanta, GA, Jake Santa Cruz of Kennesaw, GA and Alexa Santa Cruz of Huntersville, NC; sister Marcia Eib of Lake Elmo, MN; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Jack (Sr.) and Edith Santa Cruz; sister, Adele Querio and infant sister, Betty Jane Santa Cruz.
Jack was born and raised in Elwood, Illinois and was a long-time resident of Morris, Illinois, Paducah, Kentucky and Cartersville, Georgia. He excelled in science in school and also played clarinet for the Joliet (IL) Township High School national champion concert band. He joined the US Army immediately after graduation, serving as a technical officer responsible for surveying and mapping the Philippine Islands in the aftermath of World War II. Always a hard and conscientious worker, Jack succeeded in a diverse variety of jobs including postal carrier, life insurance agent, auto mechanic, and owner and operator of Jack’s Cities Service auto repair shop. He then pursued a respected 26-year career as a plant manager in the chemical industry, where he was involved in several plant startups and expansions before retiring from Air Products and Chemicals in 1992. He also volunteered in his community, serving as president of both his neighborhood association and the local board of education, as well as school bus mechanic.
Jack was a man of many interests and talents. From an early age he loved to put his considerable mechanical and science aptitude to work building and tinkering with all manner of mechanical devices. During his lifetime he built and/or repaired many things including his first “Hi-Fi” audio system, various motorized gadgets, radios, backyard decks, room additions and other home improvements, just to mention a few. Early in their marriage, he and Helen completed much of the construction of their first home. As the family Mr. Fix It, he repaired and kept running countless family-member vehicles, and was always willing to help grateful family and friends with various home repair projects. Jack was also a voracious reader of many hundreds of books (with a particular fondness for adventure novels and Louis L’Amour Westerns), played banjo and ukulele to accompany family singalongs, and was an avid fan of the Kentucky Wildcats, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Bulls. Jack loved a good road trip and he and Helen enjoyed exploring different places during many impromptu automotive excursions. Together they traveled extensively throughout the US, and in Canada and Europe.
Most of all, Jack was a devoted husband and father who enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and extended family during the many holidays, celebrations, kid’s sporting events, family vacations and reunions over the years. He will be dearly missed.
Voluntary donations in Jack’s honor may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation.
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