Jose "Joe" De La Cruz

Jose Santos De La Cruz, 89, of Winters, Texas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 5, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones in Coleman, Texas.

He was born on May 19, 1933, to Evaristo M. and Inocencia (Santos) De La Cruz, in Winters, Texas.   Jose was a man of many talents and did everything from farming, truck driving, and electrician work, and even worked as a bus driver.  Jose served honorably in the United States Armed Services in the Army, from March 8, 1955, to March 7, 1963.  Before entering into his military service, he married the love of his life, Nadine Gonzales, in 1954, and together they shared almost 70 years before his passing.  Very involved with his church, Jose had the distinct honor of being a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus.

Jose is preceded in death by his parents Evaristo and Inocencia De La Cruz, and his siblings Luis De La Cruz, Pete De La Cruz, Esperanza De La Cruz, Daniel De La Cruz, Raul De La Cruz, and grandson Slader Daen De La Cruz.

He is survived by his wife Nadine, his son JoRay De La Cruz of Austin, daughter Ernestina Pena of San Angelo, son Richard De La Cruz of Odessa, son Alex De La Cruz of San Angelo, daughter Rebecca Word and husband Carl of San Angelo.  Jose is also survived by his grandchildren Jordon De La Cruz and wife Lora, Brian De La Cruz, Angela De La Cruz and their mother Donna O’ Duggan De La Cruz; Kristan Renshaw and husband Trey, Koree Mangum and husband Kevin and their mother Sherri De La Cruz Thetford; Adrian Pena and wife Cady, Allison Knight and husband Justin, Audra Pena, Samantha Kneisler and husband Jimmy.  He will also be greatly missed by his great-grandchildren Miles De La Cruz, Silas Mangum, Sloan Mangum , Kailey Renshaw, Malachi Renshaw, Jameson Kneisler, Ruby Pena, Hank Pena, Juniper Pena, Amos Pena, and Kaya Knight, as well as his sister Suzie Stamper.

A wake service will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 6:00 pm with his Rosary following at 7:00 pm at the chapel at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger, Texas.  His Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Friday, March 10, 2023, at 10:00 am at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Ballinger, Texas with Father Timothy Hayter celebrating.  Interment will follow at the Texas State Veteran’s Cemetery, in Abilene at 2:00 pm.