Rich was born in Oakdale, Ca. on Aug. 19, 1969 to Richard Melvin Cruse Sr. and Brenda Carolyn Cruse. Oakdale is his hometown where he attended SDA Elementary School and then graduated from Oakdale High School in 1988. He last worked for Amazon as a head maintenance mechanic manager. When he married his wife, Lorena Navarro, he had his son Brayden Richard Cruse, then added three more children to their family; Ashlie Nichole Cruse, Dominick Zander Cruse, and Kevin Noah Cruse.

Rich loved taking his family camping, fishing, riding dirt bikes, movies, going to the ocean, and spending time at the lake. Rich had an infectious smile, funny sarcasm, and a heart big enough to love the world.

Rich entered into rest on Sept. 9, 2018 at 9:40 a.m. with family by his side.

He is survived by his wife, Lorena Navarro Cruse; children, Brayden Richard Cruse, Ashlie Nichole Cruse, Dominick Zander Cruse, Kevin Noah Cruse; grandmother, Mickey Cruse; father, Richard Melvin Cruse Sr.; step-mother Sharon Cruse; mother, Brenda Carolyn Cruse; sister, Rhonda (George) Cruse Rivera; nephews, Ryan Rivera, Niko Rivera, Sy Rivera; niece, Nyah Rivera; step-brothers, Brett (April) Weitl, Mathew Weitl; step-nephew Jax Weitl; step-nieces, Abigail Weitl, Jalyn Weitl; along with numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Rich is preceded by his grandfathers, Alfred Melvin Cruse, Theodore Franklin Burch; grandmother, Edna Ida Burch; and uncle, Phillip Gene Burch. His memory will be forever treasured in the hearts of us all.

A Viewing will be held at Oakdale Memorial Chapel on Sept. 19, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., 830 West F St. Oakdale, Ca.

Funeral will be held at Oakdale Seventh-day Adventist Church, Sept. 20, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., 1290 Walnut Ave., Oakdale, with burial at Oakdale Citizens Cemetery, Sept. 20, 11:30 a.m., 701 East J St., Oakdale.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

Sept. 19, 2018