Benjamin "Ben" DeLaCruz

March 23, 1930 - February 18, 2018

Benjamin 'Ben" DeLaCruz, 87, passed away on Sunday, February 18, 2018 at his home surrounded by loved ones.

Benjamin was born on March 23, 1930 to Maximina (Estrada) and Catarino DeLaCruz in Port Arthur, Texas. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson School, he served 3 years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Once home, he married his wife of 53years, Margarette Gary DeLaCruz. They resided in Nederland, Texas and together had two children, Mark and Cynthia. Ben went to work for DuPont as an operator. He loved working with his tools; always tinkering. He retired from DuPont in 1996 after 25 years employment and went to help support his wife with her business, Margarette's Tamale Stand in Nederland, Texas. Ben worked at the Tamale Stand for many years with his wife and daughter, Cynthia.

Ben loved listening to music, mostly Spanish music from his childhood and songs from the 50's and 60's. He also loved to dance. It did not matter what genre, he could always find a rhythm to dance to. He enjoyed vacationing at Holly Beach, LA.

Anyone who knew Ben knew that he was a man of few words, but he had a kind heart, a gentle soul, undeniable patience, and he loved with his whole heart. He a man devoted to supporting his family until the very end.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Maximina and Catarino DeLaCruz; his brothers, Pete DeLaCruz, Mercedes (Art) DeLaCruz; his sisters, Micaela Martinez, Basilla Lopez, Simona Barbosa, Geneva Ramirez and Lucy Reyna.

Ben is survived by his wife, Margarette DeLaCruz of Nederland; his son, Mark DeLaCruz and his wife, Dana of Fannett; his daughter, Cynthia Hebert and her husband, Terry of Hamshire; his step daughter, Myrna Cedars and her husband, Mike of Orange; his sisters, Ofelia Galvan of Groves, Minerva Ortez of Port Arthur. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Melissa Taylor and husband, Mike, Ryan Cedars, Andrea DeLaCruz, Amanda DeLaCruz, William DeLaCruz, Catarina Hebert, Terrie Herbert, four great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2018 from 5 PM until 8 PM at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home, with at a rosary to be prayed at 7 PM at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Friday, February 23, 2018 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, celebrant will be Rev. Urbano Sáenz. Entombment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Nederland.