- Date Of Birth: October 25, 1936
- Date Of Death: December 12, 2021
- State: Colorado
Ralph passed peacefully on December 12, 2021. Ralph was born to Isabel and Alfonzo Cruz on October 25, 1936, in St. Joseph, Missouri, the fifth child of twelve. Growing up in St. Joseph, surrounded by family, faith and love, Ralph developed a great sense of compassion and caring for others.
As a youngster, Ralph attended Christian Brothers High School. Ralph was a leader on the hardwood, the captain of his team, leading scorer, and all-conference player. In 1954 Ralph helped lead CBHS to the city basketball championship.
Ralph joined the United States Air Force and served his country for twenty years, learning and sharing different cultures. Ralph served during the Vietnam War and retired from the Air Force in 1975 in Colorado Springs.
Ralph met the “love of his life” and married Juanita Guardado in St. Joseph on June 7, 1958.
Later in life, Ralph and Juanita moved from Colorado Springs to Canon City. Ralph would drive a school bus for special needs children for the Canon City school district for fifteen years. This turned into his passion. Ralph assisted Juanita with her passion: owner and operator of “Abbey Gift Shop”. Ralph would give tours of the Abbey to out-of-town guests, school children, and tourists.
