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Raymundo “Ray” Z. Cruz entered into eternal life on Dec. 4, 2020 in Tucson, Arizona at the age of 65. Ray was one of nine children born to Juan and Frances Cruz in Mesilla, New Mexico. Soon after, the Cruz family relocated to Arizona where Ray attended Hayden schools. As a 1973 Hayden High School graduate, Ray’s proudest accomplishment was winning the 1972 Arizona Football State Championship.
After high school, Ray attended Pima Community College. Thereafter, he moved back to Hayden and began his career at Kennecott. Ray was a hard worker with a strong work ethic. In 1984, he completed his apprenticeship with ICS and began his career as a Boilermaker-Welder-Layout. He worked as a Boilermaker with ASARCO until his retirement in 2015. In addition to working and providing for his family, he dedicated his time to the Winkelman Volunteer Fire Department for many years.
Ray was a humble man with a good heart and a keen sense of humor. He enjoyed life and would not miss the opportunity to help a friend in need. He would always show his loved ones how much he cared; those who knew him knew that cooking and grilling was his love language. In his spare time you could find him tinkering with his latest projects, working his “2nd job” at the casinos, hunting, fishing, golfing or riding around in the hills. Ray was excited for the upcoming quail season, “It’s going to be a good quail season!” and he was equally ecstatic when his lifetime CHAMPS hunting permit arrived and he could not wait to bag that trophy buck.
Ray is survived by his two children, Tiffany (Rudy) Velasco and Brandon Cruz; loving companion, Isabal; sister, Beatrice Munoz; brothers, Johnny (Lydia) Cruz and Richard Cruz; grandchildren, Ashalia, Keira and Darius; and many other loved ones including step-children, step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Ray is preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Adriana Marie Cruz; parents, Juan and Frances Cruz; sisters, Terri Bracamonte, Gracie Escalante, and Lydia Cruz; and brothers, Pancho Cruz and Sammy Cruz.
Ray will be laid to rest in the Mountain View Cemetery in Hayden at a later date alongside his parents and daughter.
Ray put up a good fight against acute myeloid leukemia but he did not do this alone. He relied on the selflessness of complete strangers to donate blood and plasma. In honor of Ray, please consider donating and saving a life today at www.vitalant.org
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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