Cruz Joe Cardenas passed away Tuesday, April 12, 2022 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Cruz was born May 14, 1941, the 11th child of Adolphus and Salome Cardenas in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. After graduating High School he served in the United States Army, Fifth Infantry. He attained the rank of Sergeant E-5 and received recognitions for marksmanship. Cruz worked at Henthorn Printing at a young age and then he retired at General Motors with 20 plus years of employment.
Cruz was the family historian and the glue that kept the family together. He served his community by advocating for the Walnut Grove neighborhood during the Boathouse District development. Cruz was an Advocate for his late cousin Manuel Perez Jr. by assisting in the planning and development of the Manuel Perez Park that honors Congressional Medal of Honors recipients in Oklahoma. He also collaborated with the Oklahoma History Museum in establishing an exhibit honoring Manuel Perez Jr. Cruz always took pride in learning new skills and stay up on current events.
Cruz is survived by his sister Catherine Oldham, Dallas, Texas and an array of nieces, nephews, and greats and friends across the nation.
Proceeding in death his parents Adolphus and Salome Cardenas and his siblings Margaret (Scherr) , Nacia (Cedeno), Aldophus , Andrew, Ruby, John, Joseph (Father David), Anthony (Dan), Robert and Carmen (Masopust).

Visitation Thursday, April 21, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Vondel Smith Mortuary. Rosary will be Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 6:00 PM at Vondel Smith Colonial Chapel.
Funeral Mass will be Friday, April. 22, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Little Flower Catholic Church, 1125 South Walker Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73109. Burial will follow at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery. 7500 West Britton Rd. Oklahoma City, OK 73132