Antonio Jose "Tony" Cruz, Jr.

Antonio Jose “Tony” Cruz, Jr. passed away with his wife holding his hand and surrounded by his family on April 10, 2024. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Monday, April 15, 2024 at The Loft Church, 4400 S. Georgia St., with Pastor Matt Johnson officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 4:00 PM Sunday at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive.

Tony was the first child born to Antonio and Eva Cruz on Aug 6, 1948 in Amarillo, Texas. Tony grew up in Amarillo graduating from Caprock High School in 1968 being one of their first track stars and he would forever be a Longhorn. Tony proudly joined the Army in 1969 standing alongside his brothers in the Vietnam War where he valiantly served for three years with the 1st Air Cavalry. It was Tony’s highest honor to fight for his country in Vietnam and it didn’t go without sacrifices. Up until his last day, his family made sure he knew how much they appreciated what he gave for our country and us all. Every single day for the past two decades, you would find him wearing a hat honoring all those who fought before, beside and after him.

Alongside his service, Tony’s proudest accomplishment has always been his family. He married Vickie Ellis in 1973 where they were blessed with three sons, Mike, Mark and Tim. Tony cared for his family as a journeyman electrician up until his retirement in 2018. There wasn’t a question you could ask him that he couldn’t answer or wouldn’t be willing to help you figure out. In his early years, Tony was active in the Amarillo race community where he built and raced his cars alongside his family who became some of his best friends. During his sons’ young lives, you would find him with them at either the racetrack, coaching them or at the soccer, basketball or baseball field. They will forever have the memories of building beside him, riding along with him and learning on and off the sports fields from all his knowledge he was able to share with them.

Later in life, Tony was able to reconnect with his young love, Cynthia Miller, and they were married on Tony’s 59th birthday in 2007. Cindy was the love of Tony’s life and he made sure she knew just how much he adored her. He made sure we all knew. When Cindy and Tony combined their families, her family became his and his hers. He gained three more children, Michael, Holly and Aaron, and they and their children were Tony’s just as much as they were Cindy’s. He loved all of his family with everything he was. He and Cindy loved to travel and spend time with their family any time they could. There wasn’t a sporting or school event, birthday party, family dinner, trip or reunion they would miss. If they were in town, you knew they would be there. Cindy cared for Tony in his last years with such love and dedication that showed just how deep their love ran. His memories faded, but he knew and loved his Cindy up until his last breath.

Tony lived a full life and you could tell it as soon as he started visiting with you. And if he knew you (or he didn’t), he would be visiting with you. You see, “the thing about it is,” Tony never met a stranger. Especially if you were a fellow service member as he would show his appreciation every single time without fail. It was his honor to serve and he honored you.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Gloria, Lilly, Pauline, Ofelia and Alfred. Last year, his heart was broken when he lost his cousin and best friend, Mike Cruz.

Tony is survived by his wife, Cindy and sons Mike and Kathleen Janzen, Mark and Claudia Cruz, Timothy and Karen Cruz. Also his children Michael and Kelly Gin, Holly and Chris Siems and Aaron Gin and fiancee Hailey, and Heather Simon. Also survived by his siblings, Evelyn Tamez, Thelma and James Dopheid, Gilda and Cameron Moore and Charlie Cruz and numerous other family members and friends. He could not have been prouder of his 22 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank Ussery-Roan Texas State Veteran’s Home for the care and love they showed Tony over the last few months. They request donations in Tony’s honor to be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Texas Panhandle War Memorial Center.

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