Julia C. Cruz, age 73, died on Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Clayton, New Mexico.

Rosary will be recited at 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Clayton, New Mexico followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM with Fr. Joji Konkala as Celebrant. Burial will follow in the Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton, New Mexico.

Julia C. Cruz was born on November 7, 1952, in Ulysses, Kansas to Santiago "Jim" E. Cruz and Mercedes Maria (Padilla) Cruz.  Julia worked for the La Paloma Blanca restaurant in Clayton for several years. She later worked for J.C. Penney's in Clayton for several years until the store closed and she transferred to the store in Garden City, Kansas where she worked until she retired. Julia returned to Clayton and went to work for the Clayton School Cafeteria until 2020 when she retired again. Julia was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Clayton and the Ladies Altar Society. She was preceded in death by her parents, by 2 sisters, Elsie Martinez and Margie Cruz and by 2 brothers, Gene Cruz and Tommy Cruz.

SURVIVORS:

6 CHILDREN: Melissa Cruz (Rolando) of Amarillo, Texas, Jody Cruz of Clayton, New Mexico, Pauline Montoya (Jeremy) of Clayton, New Mexico, Vince Garcia of Las Vegas, Nevada, Patrick Montoya (Shelley) of Amarillo, Texas and Donique Garcia (Tim) of Pampa, Texas.

GRANDCHILDREN: Jade Casel (Mike), Austin Cruz-Riley, Xavier Ramirez, Mercedes Ramirez, Alex Cruz, Alison Cruz, Scott Rael (Paige), Caitlyn Gonzales (Andre), Caleb Gonzales, Cassandra Gonzales, Jordan Montoya (Yerika), Kota Montoya (Heather), Kobie Montoya, Vince Garcia (Sophie), Ashlyn Garcia, Ethan Montoya, Ella Montoya, Grayson Montoya, Mackenzi, Bailey, Dakota Porter, Cole Porter, Gage Porter and Patrick Porter.

GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: Royalty, Stassi, Zaniyah, Jamari "J.J.", Jasper, Antoni, Kennedy, Zaydalee, Jaxton, Sammy, Juni, Cruz, Blake, Demi and Dace..

2 BROTHERS: Jimmy Cruz (Belen) of Borger, Texas and Alfred Cruz (Rebecca) of Stinnett, Texas.

1 BROTHER-IN-LAW: Ruben Martinez of Clayton, New Mexico.

And numerous nieces and nephews.