Interment with Military Honors for Mr. Louis Albert De La Cruz II 61 of Pflugerville, TX will be held Thursday, July 18, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas.

Mr. De La Cruz passed away June 23, 2024, in Austin, TX. He was born August 21, 1962, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Obituary

You know Death will get you in the end, but if you are smart and have a sense of humor, you can thumb your nose at it for a while." Jimmy Buffett

The past few years have been a whirlwind of medical challenges for Louis (or as I refer to him---My Louis, as My Louis is the second of three Louis Albert De La Cruz's). Within a relatively brief period, My Louis survived the Original COVID, Stage IIIB Kidney Cancer, and a quadruple heart bypass. With each healthcare challenge, My Louis bounced back. He might have been a bit slower, but it was My Louis with his same wit and intellect. Apropos of My Louis, after each close encounter, Louis would order a custom hat. The first read "Ain't Dead Yet." The second referenced a quote from Game of Thrones, "What do you say to the God of Death...not today!" A third read "No Weak Sh-t". My Louis fully embodied the Jimmy Buffett philosophy of thumbing one's nose at death. Personally, I referred to My Louis as Lazarus. He kept rising! While in Puerto Rico celebrating his recovery and preparing for his return to work, Louis was diagnosed with a second primary cancer, Multiple Myeloma. Louis put his stubborn nature to good use and fought like heck, but complications associated with Graft Versus Host Disease following Stem Cell transplantation prevailed. My Louis is now at peace. His physical body at rest. He joins his mother, Elvenia who passed earlier this month; along with his sister, also named Elvenia and his father, Louis Albert I.

"Life is a journey that's not measured in miles or years, but in experiences." Jimmy Buffett

Louis Albert De La Cruz II was born in Honolulu on 8-21-1962 to Ret SFC (dec.) Louis Albert and Elvenia B De La Cruz (dec.). Louis and his siblings traveled all over, living the life of Army brats. He most enjoyed their long tour in Germany. Louis returned to the US in his teens, settling in San Antonio, Texas. He was active in the Winston Churchill High School Jr. ROTC program. Following graduation and in defiance to his father, My Louis enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton, 29 Palms and Guantanamo Bay. He was proud of his affiliation with 1st Anglico as well as his Airborne Jump Wings. Additional achievements obtained while in the USMC included numerous Expert Rifle and Pistol Awards---that should shock no one, The Navy Achievement Medal with 2 Stars, The Good Conduct Medal with 1 Star, and Two Meritorious Masts along with other letters of Appreciation. Also not surprising, he completed SEERS (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) and Pathfinders. My Louis attributed some of the skills learned in SEERS and Pathfinders as integral to battling cancer. While actively serving in the USMC, Louis became a twenty-something single father of three young children. His mother and sister relocated to California to assist him, which Louis was eternally grateful. The sacrifices his family made, kept his family intact and allowed him to continue serving as a Marine. My Louis achieved the rank of SSGT and if not for bum knees and shoulders, he would have made a lifelong career with the USMC.

Following his honorable discharge from the USMC, My Louis graduated from the University of California at San Diego Electrical Engineering program. My Louis said he didn't realize how much he missed Texas, until while on a job interview in Austin, the interviewer treated him to Tex-Mex. Louis said he knew at that moment, he'd be accepting the job offer. Louis' focus as an Electrical Engineer was silicon chip and circuit design, nanotechnology, memory, transistors and clock mesh. He holds a Patent in High Port Count File Bit Cell (Patent 7859919). My Louis made lifelong friends at his various places of employment-- Cadence, Lattice, Motorola, Freescale and SAMSUNG SARC Research and Design.

"Take it all in. it's as big as it seems. Count all your blessings. Remember your dreams." Jimmy Buffett

My Louis was a professional hobbyist, immersing himself in everything from carpentry to poker. From gaming to engine repair. From prepping to all things related to radio and communications. My Louis and friends could fix or build almost anything. His skills and abilities were limitless. My Louis' dream was to have his own MENLO park, tinkering from mid-afternoon until the wee hours of the night. My Louis chafed when people stereotyped Engineers as simply analytic beings. He was creative. A dreamer. A builder. A designer. Lest I forget, besides being a professional hobbyist he was a student of history and government. Louis fiercely loved and defended our Country, the Constitution and the rights bestowed to each American.

"In my family and friends, I have discovered treasure more valuable than gold." Jimmy Buffett

My Louis was man who valued family and friends. His best times were sitting quietly at home or family nights at Maudie's Tex-Mex. You'd think he was bored, but instead, he experienced joy from the company of others. Louis Albert, Sandra Marie and Alisa Rose, Dad loved you! He admired your resilience. Though three very different spirits, you each possess an intellect, brightness and compassion that is unrivaled. Furthermore, you are witty, loving, goofy and creatively gifted. What more could a parent want?

My Louis is survived by his sister, Alisa Ann Mount (David, Kenneth and Kathleen); children, Louis Albert De La Cruz III (Christina, Amelia, Timothy), Sandra Booker (Stephen), Alisa Rose De La Cruz (Terry), and Sloane Cameron (Gregorio); sister-in-law, Vidette Forbes (Sabiel and Miguel); aunts, Ione Blank (Kenneth, Larry, Susie, Morgan, Annabelle and Brittany), and Lynn Brown; special acknowledgement to Stellah, David, Khalyl, and Alex—from caregivers to family! We love you.

"Come Monday, it'll be all right. Come Monday, I'll be holdin' you tight. I spent four lonely days in a brown L. A. haze, and I just want you back by my side." Jimmy Buffett

He is also survived by me—Vashti Jude. Or simply "wife." I'll miss hearing, "Wife, can you come here?" "Wife, are you listening?" As I write this, I struggle to find the words to describe what we had. He taught me basic Bhangra dance moves. The importance of redundancy. He made me laugh. Indulged my whims. I'd tell people I am a kite, and he was my tether. I could explore to my heart's content and when done, My Louis carefully reeled me back. He loved me and my family. His family became mine and mine his. He was my friend. When frustrated, I'd say the eHarmony algorithm that matched us was f lawed, but no better man could I have married. A man of integrity, intellect and morals. My Louis was generous and brave. A protector. A provider. A husband. When sick, the best nurse one could want. We enjoyed the maturity and giving nature of our love. We embraced simply being in the same room, quietly engaging in our individual interests. We gave each other the freedom to have different passions. One of his last ideas was for me to obtain my CDL. Why? He knew how much I enjoyed the outdoors. He thought if I could operate a Semi, I could safely operate a huge travel trailer. That way, I could glamp all over the country with my sister, his sister, the dogs, the nephews, the grands, whomever. What would My Louis be doing? He would be at Base station---updating us on traffic and weather. Always reminding us to "Pace Yourself." That's my Louis. Many things will make me smile and think of My Louis—memories of sandy beaches and sunsets in Puerto Rico; the sound of an F250; the Firefly/Serenity series—which he used to slowly woo me; silly animal videos, the wedding cake we never cut and maybe one day, I'll laugh about those damn generators in the garage!

"The only thing that is still free in this world is religion, which is why a lot of people 'find it.'" Jimmy Buffett

"If there's a heaven for me, I'm sure it has a beach attached." Jimm y Buffett

Typical of many engineers, Louis was a skeptic; however, in his final months, he had a profound spiritual experience, which led him to accepting the Lord as his Savior. Saturday, June 8th, unbeknownst that it would be our last conversation, Louis looked at me and said, "GOD IS LOVE. GOD IS EVERYWHERE". He held my hand and told me he loved me. Yes sweetie, you're right ---God is Love and God is everywhere! I'll love you always and then some!

"Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes." Jimmy Buffett

"Grief is like the wake behind a boat. It starts out as a huge wave but if you keep moving, the big wake will eventually dissipate. And after a long time, the waters of your life get calm again, and that is when the memories of those who have left begin to shine as bright and as enduring as the stars above." Jimmy Buffett and if you haven't figured it out, my Louis was a Parrot Head. Sweetie, we will all be ok. You prepared us. Kade will guard the door. So, rest and enjoy your Change in Latitude. And though our hearts are selfishly aching, we're gonna soak up the shine that your memories left behind!

Special thanks to Samsung. Louis loved SARC GPU and truly enjoyed belonging to an industry leader and driver of innovative research and design. Please accept my gratitude for your support the past few years. It is beyond measure.

Special thanks also go to Ed and Fred—My Louis always felt better after a visit from you guys! When together, the three of y'all---absolute characters!

My Louis leaves a host of friends and brothers--- USMC and California folks---Mark D., Jeff S., Ernesto R., Billy M., Jeff F., Work friends include Christina W., Charles C., Matt, Myles, Bill G., Leslie, Nisrula, Mike, Jonathan, Prashant, Claudia and many, many, many more that I cannot readily recall during this time of healing.

I am also thankful for the spiritual support we received from Pastor Aaron Carter of Simpson UMC, Josh, as well as Esther and the Promiseland Prayer Team.

We are indebted to more than I can possibly recognize. But I will try. Dr. Malik, Dr. Rao, Dr. Ahmed, Dr. Ramakhrisnan and the truly gifted team of Advanced Practice Providers associated with Texas Transplant Physicians—Bonnie, Cydney, Kate, Nina and Whitney. Dr. Robinson of Austin Infectious Disease Consultants. Dr. Gorrebeeck and her team at Texas Oncology. Dr. Stuetelberg, Dr. Abburi and the Advanced Practice Providers of Hospital Internists of Texas. Dr. Queng and Dr. Nolan of ARC, Dr. Vefali of Austin Cardiology, and Dr. Deshmukh and Sudeh of the Kidney Clinic. We also want to thank the professionals and ancillary staff who greatly contributed to our care and wellbeing. Specifically, the following St. David's SAMC departments: ICU, Social Work/Case Management, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Palliative Care, Chaplain Services, Psychology, Dietary and Environmental Services.

Finally, words cannot express our gratitude for the exemplary care we received from the SUPERHERO Nurses and Technicians associated with the Sarah Cannon BMT Clinic and Sarah Cannon 6 Central. Not content with attacking the body; cancer and GVHD, also attempts to capture one's soul. One's dignity. But it didn't! We spent most of the past eleven months hospitalized or in the clinic. The Sarah Cannon Team cared for us as if we were your own parents/grandparents. You showed us love. You lifted us up. You rallied and comforted us. You educated us. We laughed. We danced. We cried. We problem solved. We became one. We can never repay what you gifted us.

"Some of its magic and some of it's tragic but I had a good life all the way."

Jimmy Buffett