Daniel Cruz

Daniel John Cruz left us on April 26, 2016 at the age of 37. He is survived by his parents, Eileen and Eloy Cruz, his sister, Mandy, his niece, Alycia, his nephew, Jordan, his godparents, Helen and Ron Piceno, his girlfriend Taryn Telles, and many aunts, uncles and cousins, who loved him very much. Daniel was born in Globe, Arizona on July 3, 1978. He attended Ironwood High School in Glendale, Arizona and graduated in 1996. He attended the Air Force Academy Prep School right after high school. He went on to the United States Air Force Academy and graduated in 2001. He attended pilot training in Columbus, Mississippi. He became an A-10 (Warthog) pilot. He was stationed in OSAN, South Korea and Davis Monthan Air Force Base. He was deployed to Afghanistan three times where he received the Bronze Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor. He then was an A-10 Instructor Pilot. He loved being an instructor and working with the young pilots. After he left the Air Force, he continued teaching students on the A-10 simulators also at Davis Monthan Air Force Base. Daniel was a very generous, funny, and dedicated to helping his students. He was passionate about his Labrador retrievers, Chudleigh, Krypto, and Kal-El. He loved his niece, Alycia, and his nephew, Jordan, beyond measure. He also loved his super heroes, especially Super Man and Chubacca. Our hearts are breaking. He left us too soon. He will be missed immensely by all who knew him.