Juan De La Cruz, Jr.

Juan De La Cruz, Jr. crossed the veil on February 24, 2026. He was born on August 31, 1938, in Mission, Texas, to Juan De La Cruz and Trinidad (Lara) De La Cruz.

Juan attended Mission High School, after which he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1955 and served as an Aircraft Refueler until 1959. He spent two years in the service at the Panama Canal Zone. He often dreamed of visiting the area again. After his time in the service, he married Ester Salinas in 1959, and in time, they became the proud parents of six children. Juan went on to work in the beef-packing industry and the feed yard business, and eventually landed at West Texas State University, where he spent most of his career as a shipping and receiving clerk and custodian in the University Bookstore. Juan was proud to be part of the “Buff” family and was especially proud that his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren attended WT.

Juan was often described as charming, with an amazing sense of humor. He had a radiant, contagious smile and a warm, inviting personality. He never met a stranger; everyone was simply a friend he hadn’t met yet. His laughter would light up a room; when he laughed, his joy could be felt radiating from him.

Juan had a passion for many things: WT football, the Dallas Cowboys, and golf, in which he had a talent. It was his goal later in life to get back on the course.

He also had a deep passion for music, which he shared with his children. Music was an integral part of family life, and his love for classic rock-and-roll he passed down to his children. He always danced the Twist with his daughters.

Juan was proud of all of his children and loved each of them dearly. He shared a special bond with his daughter Dalia. Like Juan, Dalia is a stickler for file folders and colored tabs. Organized paperwork was always important to him. Juan’s final audible words after looking around the room were “Dalia. Where’s Dalia?” Dalia, in fact, was in the office with the nursing home administration, organizing his paperwork. Rest assured, Juan, everything is in order, all is as it should be.

Left to cherish his memory are his ex-wife, Ester; his six children, Margarita Thomas and husband, Anthony; Dalia Orta-Taylor and husband, Corian; Juan De La Cruz and wife, Dora; Rosie Sharar and husband, Thom; Angel De La Cruz and Donna; and Trinie McCarley and husband, William. He is also survived by two brothers, Raul De la Cruz and wife, Susan, and Carlos De La Cruz; and two sisters, Lupita Benavides and husband, Angel, and Rosa Garza and husband, Ramon. He was a devoted grandfather to 16 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-granddaughter.

The family would like to thank the staff at Legacy Rehabilitation and Living for the wonderful care and love they shared with Juan in his final weeks. We would like to extend a special thanks to Jennifer Villanueva, Janette Caballero, Samantha Ward, Eloise Cornish, and Stalin Suarez, who went above and beyond to provide exceptional care, compassion, cookies, and treats.

A Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 2, 2026, at Lighthouse Funeral Home, 3707 Wolflin Ave., Amarillo, Texas. Visitation will continue until 8:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at San Jose Catholic Church, located at 735 Brevard St. in Hereford, Texas. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Llano Cemetery East, in Amarillo, at 2:00 p.m.