Armand Cruz

Armand was born and raised in Los Angeles to Vincente and Ysabel Cruz.  He and his brother Raymond lived in a Spanish-speaking household and attended LA city and county schools.  At the age of 17, before he finished high school, his father gave authorization for Armand to join the US Navy.  He proudly served on the USS Nevada battleship and the USS Comet, a troop transport ship.  He returned home with three medals, finished high school and attended East Los Angeles Jr. College, taking extension classes for the LA County Sheriff's Academy.  He married Carmen Jimenez in 1949 and during their 58-year marriage raised 4 daughters, Yolanda, Diana, Carmen and Amanda, living in Montebello and later Hacienda Heights, California.  Nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren followed. He also had a large extended family of 6 half-brothers and sisters.

Armand had a 30+ year career in law enforcement, joining the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in the mid-1950s where he worked as a Deputy in various assignments, including Public Relations and finished his career as a Detective in the Fugitive Division.  After he and Carmen retired and became empty-nesters, they moved to Orange, California.  They traveled often and finally made it to Europe, spending a month in Spain.  They also became extras in the movie industry and were members of the Screen Actors Guild.

Armand was always community-oriented and stayed active.  He was a volunteer at his local Catholic church throughout most of his life and served as Commander for the American Legion.  After he retired he worked for the City of Industry, Disneyland and was a volunteer tutor for students learning English as a second language.  Most recently, he spent time at the Senior Center and Elks Lodge in the city of Orange.

But much of his time before and after his retirement was spent with his large family.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Raymond (May, 2007) and his wife Carmen (December, 2007).

We will deeply miss his spunk, his joke-telling, his stories and his love of life!

If you would like to send a donation in memory or honor of Armand, please contact:

TAPS

The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) offers compassionate care to all those grieving the death of a loved one serving in our Armed Forces. Since 1994, TAPS has provided comfort and hope through a national peer support network and connection to grief resources, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at no cost to surviving families and loved ones.

800-959-8277

www.taps.org

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