Ricardo Rudolfo De La Cruz

Rich, Richard, Ricardo, Dad, Papa, Grandpa 

Ricardo Rudolfo De La Cruz, 93, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 19, 2024, in Bermuda Run, North Carolina. 

“Rich” was born to Narciso and Louisa De La Cruz in Corona, California in 1931. 

Rich lived a life filled with family, friends, and adventure. He was proud of his service in the United States Air force, and he enjoyed cruising, storytelling, gambling and spending time with his great-granddaughter Adrianna Prosser. On his cruises, he had recently visited Alaska, Puerto Rico, the Panama Canal, Mexico, Honduras, Canada, Key West, Aruba and the Caribbean. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Jean De La Cruz; his sisters, Annie Gomez, Francis Trimble and Stella Redondo; and grandsons, Joshua Murphy and Jonathan Sanchez. 

He leaves behind his son and cruising companion. Richard De La Cruz (Sara); five step children, Joann Larson of California, Art Sanchez of the Netherlands (Petra), Johnny Sanchez of Texas (Edna), Michael Sanchez of California, and Emma Palacios of California (Manny); thirteen grandchildren, including Latasha Esparza of North Carolina, who lived with and cared for Rich over the the last six years; twenty-two great grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren. 

The family will receive friends at 1:00 PM Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel in Advance. A memorial service will follow the visitation at 2:00 PM. 

Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com