Raymond Tamez Cruz, a beloved father, grandfather, and veteran, passed away on January 8, 2025, in Conroe, Texas, at the age of 86. Born in Houston on February 9, 1938, he lived a full life filled with family, hard work, and community. He was a loving father to four daughters and a proud grandfather to many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Raymond grew up on a farm south of Bellaire, where he learned the value of hard work from his parents. He helped cultivate various crops and sell them at local markets. He later moved to Houston’s Sixth Ward and assisted his father in his landscaping business, working in the prestigious River Oaks community.
Raymond also had a strong sense of community service. He was a Boy Scout and developed a lifelong friendship with David Lopez during their shared adventures. He attended several schools in the Houston area, including Alief Elementary, Dow Elementary, Washington Junior High, and Reagan High School.
Before graduating high school, Raymond enlisted in the United States Air Force at 18. He served his country as an aircraft mechanic, achieving the rank of Airman Second Class. He was stationed at Travis Air Force Base in California and also trained at Sheppard AFB in Texas. Raymond cherished his time in the service and made lifelong friends. He was a proud veteran and his family celebrated him every Veterans Day.
After his military service, Raymond continued working as an aircraft mechanic before returning to Houston. He married Elouise Ortega in 1961, and together they raised four daughters in Cypress, Texas. They built a home on Kathy Lane, which became a central gathering place for family and friends for decades. countless memories were made at family gatherings, parties, and celebrations.
Raymond was a skilled entrepreneur. In 1973, he and Elouise established Evergreen Nursery Company in Cypress. He was a Texas Certified Nurseryman and took pride in his work. His landscaping expertise extended throughout the Houston-Galveston region, contributing to projects in Hermann Park and local schools. He also invested in real estate, flipping houses and owning an apartment building.
Raymond enjoyed traveling with his family in their RV, boating on Texas lakes and the Gulf, and spending time at their condo in Freeport. He loved fishing, crabbing, deer hunting, and exploring new places with loved ones. Annual trips to Mexico to visit family were a cherished tradition. He also enjoyed trips to Las Vegas, Cancun, California and Puerto Vallarta.
A man of many interests, Raymond enjoyed museums, history, movies, dancing, and music. His barbecues and crawfish boils were legendary, often accompanied by his favorite conjunto and oldies music. He was a skilled handyman and a lifelong learner, always eager to acquire new skills.
Raymond was known for his generosity, always willing to help family and friends. He instilled important values in his children and grandchildren, emphasizing the importance of honoring family and taking pride in one’s work. He was a social butterfly who never met a stranger and maintained countless lifelong friendships.
Preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and a son-in-law, Raymond is survived by his four daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, sisters, and numerous other relatives and friends. Services were held at Morales Funeral Home and Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Houston, with interment at Brookside Cemetery. A gathering at Spanish Flowers Mexican Restaurant followed the burial to celebrate Raymond’s life. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
