- Date Of Birth: May 17, 1997
- Date Of Death: December 25, 2016
- State: Texas
Life holds many milestones that so many view as needing to be crossed to live a full life. Falling in love, receiving an education, making a living, getting married, having kids, and hopefully retiring are all markers that seem to make an individual more “grown” or more “accomplished” in society’s eyes. Though in all honesty, society knows nothing. A young man came into this world and accomplished what many “successfully” people have never achieved in their 80-plus years within his short life. He created his own milestones and his own life-makers, and through crossing them, lived a full, joyful life that many of us will never know. Jose Manuel Cruz, Jr. not only lived his life to the absolute fullest, but he also lived his life with compassion, character, and love.
Unlike many Spring days in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, May 17, 1997 was calm, clear, and warm. No storms brewed in the horizon, the temperature didn’t rise or drop-it was just a beautiful day. On this perfect day, a perfect baby boy was born to his blessed parents, Jose Cruz, Sr. and Melissa Flores. Just like the day he was born, Joey was a calm, clear, warm little boy. Melissa claims that all throughout her pregnancy, Joey made the nine months go by with ease. Even during the delivery, Joey gave his mother no pain and the doctors no grief. Unlike so many wiggling newborn babies, Joey gave his parents comfort and rest when he began sleeping through the whole night just after arriving home a few weeks earlier. As a growing little boy, Joey, or Turtle as his family lovingly nicknamed him, possessed a good, sweet nature along with a sense of adventure and curiosity. “He was everything you could want in a son… everything about him was easy and smooth.” His loveable demeanor complimented his boyish charm and his respectable attitude. Although he was an adventurous boy, he never got himself into trouble.
As one wise man put it, “To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world.” Jose didn’t just affect one person in his life. He didn’t influence just his group of friends or his immediate family. Instead, Joey had the power and the ability to move and touch everyone around him whether they knew him or not. From the very start, Joey shaped his family. His mother always commented how Jose always took the time to listen to her when her day was not going right. Even if she never told him about her struggles somehow he would just know. During these times, he knew the exact thing to say that would give his mother hope or understanding. When Jose’s little brother, Joshua was born earlier this year, Joey knew how to take care of and help Joshua. Even at the age of 19, Joey had a nurturing spirit for Joshua to match any parent. He loved coming to the house to see Joshua and play on the floor with Joshua’s growing energy. Many times, he took care of Joshua by just freeing his mother from her chores so she could feed him or attend to him. Joey loved his little brother so much. Even if Jose had many things to do on his own agenda, the moment his dad needed help, Jose would drop whatever he was doing to give aid. Nobody had as selfless a heart as Jose. Along with Joshua, Jose also knew how to take care of Jazmin. Many times, Joey would check up on Jazmin while she was at school and was always there to help her after school when hunger hit. Joey and Jazmin had “Snack Time” where all they had to do was say the words at any hour and out the door they went into Joey’s car to fulfill their hunger, but also their need to hang out and catch up from the activities of the day. Jazmin always knew Joey would be there for her, and he always will.
Joey’s influence went through his immediate family and impacted his extended family as well. Joey acted as a good role model to his cousins and was always on his best behavior. He knew he had younger siblings and several younger cousins looking up to him. Joey had a blast being with his cousins shooting BB guns or paintball guns, throwing around the football, playing pranks, or just clowning around. However, during all their fun, he made sure to keep things positive and speak influentially to his cousins. Along with enjoying the presence of his cousins, Joey loved being around his whole family. He had a special bond with each of his aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Amongst all his different relatives, Joey naturally knew how to approach and engage with each one in his own special way. Because of his personable character, each minute spent with his family members was a minute well spent and exceptional. Along with being influential to his extended family, Joey’s extended family was influential to him. He was surrounded by family members who loved him well and desired the best for him. So many amazing uncles impacted Jose and his views upon life and family. So many aunts encouraged him throughout life in many different areas. Grandparents and great-grandparents alike taught him that love lasts longer than any paycheck. Family taught Jose that he was truly blessed.
Jose’s influence and character not only spoke to his family, but to his friends as well. Joey was a natural leader, but also a true friend. Joey stuck up for his friends just as he would his family, and just like his family, Joey was always there for a friend. After he started working at BMW, he eventually helped several friends get jobs there working with the nice, luxury cars. Cars were a constant bond between Joey and his friends. Whether it was driving donuts in empty parking lots (safely), working on cars to make the engine even better, or just cruising down roads enjoying the day, Joey and his friends knew how to have a good time behind the steering wheels of their cars. With his friends, Jose started a Car Club where he made many great memories with his friends. Along with being a friend, Joey also became a counselor and mediator among his friends. He knew how to settle a hectic situation with just his words and make things right again. Joey’s friends followed him not because of his car or his possessions, but because of his heart.
Many people could claim that they have an influence upon friends and family, but only special individuals can say that they can affect people outside of their own personal life. Jose Manuel Cruz had the ability to impact his teachers and staff around his school at Texas Can Academy in Farmers Branch. Teachers appreciated his good, easy-going nature amongst chaotic classes. He had the ability to step into a classroom and either make or break it. With just a few words and perhaps a joke or two, Joey could calm a difficult situation. Because of his talent, teachers would pull Joey out of his own classroom to their classroom to handle an out-of-control situation. Not many teachers can say that they have an equally vital student as Joey was to his teachers and his school’s staff. Aside from his teachers, Joey also had an impact upon people he barely knew or never met. Joey never shied away from saying “hi” to his neighbors or lending them a helping hand when he saw they were in need. Even among strangers, Joey’s golden heart shown. His mother told a story about when Joey had to pick her up from work. After a few minutes of waiting for him, she stuck her head outside to see if he was in the parking lot. Instead, she saw him a little bit down the street helping one of her coworkers jumpstart her car. He never hesitated pulling over to give help to a person in need whether it was a stranded motorist or a homeless person. Joey even impacted people indirectly without him ever knowing. A neighbor confided in Melissa that Joey helped him get to work on time every morning. When Joey would start up his car and rev the engine to go to school, the neighbor knew that he had to leave for work shortly after. After Joey’s passing, the neighbor repeatedly ran late for work all because he depended upon Joey and Joey’s car in the morning. As a testament to his radiant soul, a complete stranger who had never seen Joey or spoke to him before, first met him during his final hours. The stranger came out to Joey’s car to give him aid. He later told Joey’s parents later that “I didn’t know him, but I knew he had a good soul.” To those that knew Jose, they knew he was a wonderful son, a supportive brother, a helpful friend, a willing helper, and a good man. To those that didn’t know him, they still knew his golden heart.
“The mind of man, his brains, and nerves, are a truer index of his age than the calendar.” This quote by English poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley, describes Jose’s character and mindset. Many people who came across Joey rarely believed that he was actually 19. He seemed much older with his responsible attitude and his respectful manners. His aunt describes how Joey never forgot his manners even with the most familiar of people. It was always, “May I… ” or “Can I… ” before going somewhere or doing something, especially when he invited friends to his tía’s pool or grab a Coke out of the fridge. He always thought of other’s first before he would go for his own wants or needs. Unlike many high school teenagers, Joey was wise with his money. He never asked his parents for money or for things, but instead saved his money to buy the things he wanted including his cap and gown for graduation. He took care of himself and worked to enjoy himself and the things in life; he wasn’t going to have his ambitions and goals given to him. He was an overachiever in everything he set his mind to including living life. Jose’s level of fore-thought, understanding, and consideration surpassed many of his generation; his mature outlook upon life and living matched those ahead of his time. Without a doubt, Jose Manuel Cruz, Jr. lived life as a man in his young age. However, just because Joey was mature in some ways doesn’t mean that he had life all figured out. He was still learning and growing as any soon-to-be-graduate would be before his transition out of high school. His mother recalled with a laugh and a smile a time when Joey was younger, but surely old enough to fill his mother’s car up with gas. She gave him her debit card and told him to fill up the car. After a few moments outside, Joey finally told her he had no idea how to work the debit card with the pump. She smiled as she recalled that there were still times he had to depend on his parents’ guidance and advice. Joey had an innocent and pure heart. Despite his age or his size, he never said “no” to receiving a hug or taking affection. In fact, normally it was him who gave his mother a huge hug around the neck before he left for school. He was the one who would say “hello” and “goodbye” to every family member before leaving a family function. Joey loved with all of his heart, and he wasn’t afraid to show it.
Some of Jose’s greatest feats of maturity was through school. Joey determinedly focused on finishing school and graduating with his high school diploma. He put in hours of study and hard work to succeed in his education until he finally finished strong with the help of his encouraging teachers and dedicated family. Jose excitedly anticipated graduating from school in January and walking across the stage in his Royal Blue robe and mortar board. Despite what others negatively told him, he was going to achieve something that many in his family had not achieved before. After receiving his high school diploma, Joey planned to continue his education and begin going to a mechanic trade school. His mother and father told him that he should pursue something else like engineering, but Joey didn’t agree. His goal was to become a diesel mechanic. He didn’t like to stay in one spot throughout the whole day, so a desk job wasn’t going to suit him. He loved being outside, fixing things up, and working with cars. Being outside seemed to make the day go by faster and made him feel like he was “on a field trip to the Arboretum.” How much better would it be if that “field trip” experience was around cars? The other wonderful thing about Joey’s experience in high school was his relationship with his girlfriend, Jennifer Rivera. She was his high school sweetheart and better half. Numerous people thought they made a great team together as they complimented the other’s characteristics. June Bug, as Joey dotingly called Jennifer, knew how to take care of Joey, especially when he spent his energy taking care of others, and just like most men, the quickest way to Joey’s heart was through his stomach. Jennifer made all sorts of food for him and made sure he never went hungry. Her chicken alfredo and her Rotel dip were some of Joey’s favorite dishes. At one point Melissa tried to replicate Jennifer’s famous Rotel dip for Joey, but even polite, respectful Joey told her it only tasted “good.” Together, Joey and Jennifer, spent as much time together as they possibly could. She was most certainly a blessing to him during his years in high school. Although Joey did not walk across the stage, he did succeed in reaching his goal. He passed high school and became eligible to receive his diploma. In the end, Joey did graduate, but his next step was to a better life with new experiences next to his Lord and Savior in Heaven.
Outdoor parks and events like Six Flags, Hurricane Harbor, and the Texas State Fair were always more appealing to Jose than indoor entertainment places like movie theaters. However, one movie franchise that Joey loved was The Fast and the Furious. Joey idolized Paul Walker, but revered Paul Walker’s car more. Nobody could deny Joey’s love and passion for cars. He liked working on cars, driving cars, fixing cars, and even just being around cars. Souped-up cars and cars capable of high-speed were some of Jose’s favorites. Due to his passion for cars, it is no surprise that Joey’s pride and joy was his black on black 2005 Infinity G35 coup. Joey spent many hours, a lot of money, and a ton of creativity to make his car just like he wanted. His parents laughed as they said, “he never had any children, but that car was his baby.” Jose enjoyed driving his car anywhere, especially around Arlington Park with his friends. Wherever Joey went in his car, you would know with the sound of his pipes and muffler. What some of us would give just to hear the roar of his car again and to see his amazing smile as he drives down the road or back to home.
Along with his car and the outdoors, Joey had a passion for making people laugh and smile. He had a great sense of humor guaranteed to make anyone happy. Many times Jose would just say things out of the blue that would make people do a double take and laugh. He knew how to brighten someone’s day, especially his sister. Almost every morning he would step into her room looking at his outfit in her full-length mirror. Every morning when he did this, he would look at one side then the other only to turn to her and say, “Do I look chunky or do I look skinny?” or “Does this match?” He had a way to put a smile on someone’s face or make them in a good mood, even if that same person was mad at him. All he had to do was smile his charming smile and say a goofy thing to make the other person joyful again. Even with his own family, people sometimes could never tell if Joey was playing, joking, or lying during a conversation. He had such a jovial, innocent spirit that lifted everyone’s spirit as well.
The greatest joy in Joey’s life was his relationship to Jesus Christ. He knew Jesus Christ was his Savior and Lord, and Joey lived his life as a testament to God’s selfless love for us. Joey loved everyone around him and lived to help and serve others. One of Joey’s favorite songs was “I Am No Longer A Slave” by Bethel Music, and during random periods of the day (even in the shower), he’d sing out “I am a child of God.” Although he, like everyone across the world, stumbled and fell at times, Joey lived out his faith with love, care, and a willingness to help anyone in need. He truly was “a child of God.”
However, to the great sorrow and anguish of his family and friends, Joey was tragically taken away from this world on Christmas Day, December 25, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. His loss is great as well as a shock to all who knew him. His life most certainly ended far too soon, but it is important to remember that he lived his life to the fullest. As someone once said, “Instead of counting your days, make your days count.” Joey made each of his days count as he took joy in life, helped others, and loved strangers, friends, and family all unconditionally.
Friday, December 30th, 2016, 5:00pm – 8:00pm, Hughes Family Tribute Center
Saturday, December 31st, 2016, 10:00am, Hughes Family Tribute Center
