Juan Adolfo De La Cruz, 95, returned Home to God on October 7, 2016 in his home in Dallas, TX. His passing is deeply felt by his family, friends, former colleagues, and countless students.

Juan was born on September 9, 1921 in Rio Grande City, TX to Juan and Adela De La Cruz. He grew up in Donna, TX with his mother and three siblings. He served in the Army Air Force during World War II as a medic. Just prior to deploying, he married his beloved wife Zulema, in 1944. Their beautiful marriage spanned over 70 years. They had four children together, Cynthia, David, Mark, and Sally. Throughout his life, Juan was known by all as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

In 1951, he graduated from Baylor University with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Education. He later went on to receive his Master’s Degree in Education and Administration from Texas A&I University. He was one of the first Hispanics to receive a Master’s degree from the University.

Juan then went on to have a long and fruitful career in Education. He served as a teacher and a principal for the Alice Independent School District until 1971 when he moved with his family to Dallas, TX to help develop the Dallas Independent School Districts’ first bilingual education program. He worked for Dallas ISD as an administrator until his retirement in 1982.

Those closest to Juan, will remember his joyful spirit and playful nature. He began every day by whistling while he made his morning coffee. He had a joke for every occasion, and a nickname for everyone he met. He treated everyone he encountered as a friend and his home was always a place of warmth and comfort. He was an avid sports fan who cheered loudly and proudly for all of Dallas’ sports teams. He was a man of profound faith and was a member of the Pleasant Mound-Urban Park United Methodist Church for many years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Zulema De La Cruz; sons, Mark and David De La Cruz; sisters, Sara De La Garza and Sofia Garcia; brother, Noe De La Cruz.

Juan is survived by his daughters, Cynthia (Oscar) Solis of Harlingen, Texas and Sally (Roberto) Lazo of Dallas, Texas; daughter-in-law Belinda Da La Cruz of Corpus Christi, Texas; sister-in-law Linda (Richard) Ramirez of Dallas, Texas; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and extended family.

The visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Eastgate Funeral Home, 1910 Eastgate Dr. Garland, TX 75041.

The funeral service will be Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at 10:00 am at Eastgate Funeral Home with the interment to follow at the DFW National Cemetery at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Cancer Society or to the Hospice group of your choice.