Tom Davila Cruz, Jr.

Tom Davila Cruz, Jr. October 19th, 1925 – February 11, 2007 Tom Davila Cruz, Ret Major U.S. Air Force died Sunday, February 11, 2007 surrounded by his loving family and The Rites of the Holy Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 15 at St. Louis Catholic Church, with Msgr. Mark Deering as celebrant. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will follow. Mr. Cruz was born October 19, 1925, in Rosebud, Texas to Tom S. and Leonor Davila Cruz. He graduated from Rosebud High School in 1943. He then entered Texas A&M University in January of 1944 began his military career. He joined the U.S. Marines, serving in the Southwest Pacific Theater and was discharged in May of 1946 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon his return to Central Texas, He re-entered Texas A&M and completed his pre law requirements, majoring in history and graduated with a B.A. degree in 1949. He studied Spanish at the University of Mexico and from November 1949 to September 1950 was employed by the U.S. Government in Mexico City, then returned to Waco to attend Baylor Law School. In 1951 Mr. Cruz was recalled to active duty. He first went through a series of training schools including Psychological Warfare courses, Foreign Services Institute, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., Army General School, and Air Force Psychological Warfare course, and the United States Institute of Technology, Yale University, Ne Haven, Conn. He was Adjutant at the 605th Tactical Control Squadron in Korea and Intelligence Officer with the 3rd Bombardment Group in Korea. His final overseas tour of duty was in the Philippines and Vietnam from 1965 to 1968. He received a Master of Education degree from Antioch University. Upon his retirement he returned to Waco with his family and was employed by the City of Waco, from 1971 to 1991 as a Personnel Analyst. He was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th Degrees, where he was Grand Knight of Council 8135 and Faithful Navigator for the Msgr. J.J. Kearns 4th Degree Assembly. Mr. Cruz married Linda Siller on September 8, 1951. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Genevieve Tapia. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years; son, Henry Cruz and wife, Mary of Houston; granddaughter, Simon and grandson, Nicholas; daughter, Mona Ralston and husband, Sam, of Waco; granddaughters, Sonya LaRocque and great granddaughter Jolie of Austin; granddaughter, Alisha Ambrose of Waco, step grandson, Aaron Ralston of Atlanta, Ga. and step granddaughter, Annilese Ralston of San Antonio, TX.; son, Tom N. Cruz and wife, Millie of Allen; granddaughter, Lillyanna Cruz; step granddaughter, Veronica Portillo and step grandson, Giovanni Portillo; stepson, Edward Barnes and wife, Barbara of Colorado; and grandson, Alan Barnes and wife, Maria of Dallas; his brothers and sisters: Virginia Thompson of Temple, Dora Shultis and husband, Forrest of Clinton Township, Michigan; Delia Rivera of Plano; George D. Cruz and wife, Gloria of Dallas; Reynold D. Cruz of El Monte, CA; Helen Iglesias of Richardson; David D. Cruz of Dallas and many nieces and nephews. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey