Tributes

CRUZ ARIZMENDI, JR. Went to be with the Lord on the 17th of September 2025 at the age of 101. He was born on October 22, 1923, in San Antonio, Texas to Cruz Jose Arizmendi and Maria Louisa Flores. He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Herlinda Arizmendi, Consuelo Espinoza and one brother: Regino Arizmendi. He played the violin and clarinet in the Sidney Lanier High School Band. He was senior class president and graduated in 1942 from Sidney Lanier High School. He was drafted right after to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. He spent a year and a half in the front lines in Germany for which he received several awards, campaign ribbons, with 2 Bronze Stars. While serving in Rhineland and Central Europe he received the European=African=Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbons, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Ribbon and 2 Overseas service Bars. After returning from the service, he enrolled in college and earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Our Lady of the Lake College (University), San Antonio, and in 1954 he earned a master’s degree in music education from the University of Texas at Austin, hook'em Horns! He later returned to Our Lady of the Lake College (University) and earned a Master's of Education in 1961. He was in the education field for 39 years. He was a teacher, high school band director for 16 years and for 23 more years in administrative positions as a counselor and vice-principal. Cruz worked as a Principal and Director of San Antonio Junior College Campus. He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Ana Marie Monteleone de Arizmendi, his stepchildren, Virginia Toudouze (Chris), David Barajas Jr. (Rene). From his previous marriage, his children Richard (Theresa), Sylvia, Linda, Rosemary, Norma, and Cruz III. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Mark A. Monteleone, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a host of family and friends. He was a well-loved music educator, who loved to teach and was admired by many of his past students. The family would like to thank Klarus Hospice Team for their medical support. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations please be made in Mr. Cruz Arizmendi Jr.'s memory to VFW Post 76, "The Oldest Post in Texas". (https://vfwpost76.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?nid=6) Visitation will be held on Monday, October 6, 2025, at Alamo Funeral Home, 624 N. Alamo, San Antonio, Texas 78215 from 5:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. with a rosary to begin at 6:00p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 700 Dewhurst, San Antonio, Texas 78213. Visitation will be held at St. Gregory's from 9:15a.m. to 10:00a.m. Funeral Mass will be held from 10:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. with interment to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Tributes

Cruz Arizmendi Jr.

October 22, 1923 - September 17, 2025