Samuel Luis "Sammy" Cruz Jr.

Samuel Luis “Sammy” Cruz, Jr., 32, passed away August 4, 2016 in a tragic automobile accident. Sammy was born August 28, 1983 in Taft, Texas to Sam Cruz, Sr. and Laura Martinez. He was a 2002 graduate of King High School then studied welding at Del-Mar College. He was a parishioner at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Taft. Sammy spent much of his free time working on and taking great care of his vehicles and loved spending time with all of his family and friends, especially at his family’s Bayside property fishing and cooking out. He was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. Sammy was a loving son, brother, father and uncle and will be missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Rafael and Alejandra Cruz and maternal grandfather, Ramon C. Martinez. Survivors include his mother, Laura (Carlos Martinez) Martinez; father, Sam (Mary Ann) Cruz, Sr.; son, Samuel Oran Cruz; brother, Ted Cruz; sister, Tiffany Cruz (Lorenzo) Ramirez and one nephew, Marcus; six nieces, Layla, Maddy, Mikayla, Emma, Sophia and Elizabeth; maternal grandmother, Pauline Martinez; two step-brothers, Raymond Hinojosa and Jimmy Hinojosa; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at Colonial Funeral Home with Holy Rosary recited at 7:00 p. m. that evening. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 12, 2016 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Taft with interment to follow at Palms Memorial Park in Portland.