Anthony Bradley Cruz

Anthony (Tony) Bradley Cruz, age 57, of Flint, died Saturday, December 15, 2018 due to injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident on County Road 1125 south of Tyler. Tony was born March 6, 1961, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Dr. Anatolio Benedicto Cruz, Jr. and Rosalina Sedillo Cruz. Tony spent the majority of his childhood in San Antonio, where he attended elementary school at Holy Spirit Catholic School, Eisenhower Middle School and Winston Churchill High School. An outstanding athlete, Tony helped lead the Winston Churchill tennis team to two state championships. Tony received a B.A. in Communications from Stephen F. Austin University. He was a member of the Lumberjack tennis team and was a night-time disc jockey for a local radio station. After college, Tony began his career in the corporate television industry, spanning over 2 decades. In 2011, Tony fulfilled a lifelong dream by building XTC Fitness & Sports, which became one of Tyler’s most premier fitness facilities. Although the club closed in 2017, Tony continued to lead XTC Training at Tyler Athletic & Swim Club. Through this passion, Tony touched hundreds of lives and had a profound impact on all who were blessed to call him trainer or coach. If he wasn’t one’s trainer or coach, anyone who was still fortunate enough to know him, would be embraced by his warmth and brilliant smile. Following in his family’s tradition of military service, Tony was commissioned in the Texas State Guard, and in 2016 assumed command of Charlie Co, 3rd Medical Battalion. “Ton” (pronounced Tone), as he was known to his family, always encouraged others to live life to its fullest. Indeed, he made the world a much better and happier place for everyone around him. From a very young age, although at times a bit mischievous, he demonstrated unbounded confidence and a daring boldness to tackle any challenge. In addition to his parents, Tony is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 21 amazing years, Honor Hulo Cruz; his children, Christopher (Chris) Russell Bentley & wife Mary, Anthony Corey Cruz & wife Lauren and Caroline (CC) Dayle Cruz; two grandchildren, Barrington (Bear) and Broderick (Brody) Bentley; his sisters, Raquel Cruz Bono, Roselle (Pinky) Cruz Osterman; his brother, Anatolio Benedicto (AB) Cruz III; sister-in-law, Jill Lynch Cruz; brothers-in-law, Art Dwight and Paul Osterman; nieces and nephew Taylor, Grace, Aly, Lauren, Ben and Ana. Services will be held Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with a Rosary at 2:30 followed by a Memorial Mass at 3:00 p.m. with Most Rev. Joseph E. Strickland presiding. A reception with food and beverages will be held in the Cathedral Center immediately following the mass. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bishop Gorman Volleyball Fund at 1405 ESE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701 and/or Church Under the Bridge at P.O. Box 1148, Chandler, TX 75758.

Anthony Bradley Cruz

March 6, 1961 - December 15, 2018