Danney Dale Cruz

Danney Dale Cruz, 59, of Taylorsville, Utah, passed away Friday, December 15, 2017. He died peacefully in his home of Heart Disease. 

Danney was born on August 21, 1958 to Daniel and Josie Cruz. He was called Dale among those closest to him. He had a younger sister, Julie Miller (Kelly), and two younger brothers, Randy Cruz (Christine) and Juan Francisco Cruz. 

He graduated from Cottonwood High School in 1976. He married Jacque Larsen in 1977 and they later divorced. He cared very much for Jacque and to the day he died, he would do anything to help her. Together they had three daughters, Tiffany Spencer (Glen), Candice Alba (Matthew), and Amanda Hawthorne (Christopher). He never remarried. 

He worked as a Database Administrator for Mountain Bell, US West, Prime Option, Bausch and Lomb, American Stores, Albertson's, Rx America, and Salt Lake County. He made many of his closest friends at work.

At 45 years old, Danney suffered a heart attack and had a quadruple bypass surgery. It never slowed him down, and he continued to live life to the fullest.

Danney was always there to lend a helping hand. He got some of his greatest enjoyment by being there for others. He was always helping his daughters with whatever they needed. From remodeling projects, car troubles, and help with moving, to assembling toys for his grandchildren, and financial assistance, if he was able to help, he was the first one to offer. 

Danney loved music. He felt it deeply in his soul. His life was the greatest soundtrack. All of his fondest memories were associated to a song. He loved all music from the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Tom Petty to Pearl Jam, and Green Day. He knew every word to every song and loved going to concerts. Some of our greatest memories with our dad are going to see live music with him.  

Danney loved to tinker. He could fix anything and had every tool to complete any project. You could call him and sure enough he had the exact thing you needed. If for some reason he didn't, he was on his way to get it.

Danney was an avid gun enthusiast. He loved shooting trap. He enjoyed shooting in the Round Robin and Turkey shoot every year. He spent a lot of time at the Holiday Gun Club, Lee Kay, and Magna Gun Club with family and friends. 

Danney loved to ride his Harley Motorcycle. He loved the sun on his face and the wind in his hair. You always knew when he arrived by the roar of his motorcycle. He went on many rides and one of his favorite trips was to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Later on in life, Danney became an avid golfer. He golfed in many men's groups and enjoyed every chance he had to go golfing. One of his goals was to be able to golf at least one day of every month for a year. This year he was finally able to do that. So much fun was had on the course laughing and joking with friends and family.

Throughout the years, Danney struggled with alcoholism. For the past five years, he has been living a clean and healthy life. It was one of his greatest accomplishments. We are so proud of him for making that change.

Danney's greatest joy in life was his grandchildren. He loved every second he got to spend with them. He was their beloved "Pa Cruz". He had one grandson, Jackson Spencer, and five granddaughters, Portia Spencer, Ava Alba, Lilly Hawthorne, Madelyn Alba, and Violet Hawthorne. He went on vacations to Disneyland, went to Bees and Dodgers baseball games, to see the Airshows, and many road trips with them. He was so proud of all of their accomplishments, and he supported them in all of their activities. They were the light of his life. He was very sentimental and he kept all of the drawings and cards they made for him. Violet died as an infant and now that he has passed on, he is just relishing in the chance to get to know her and be her grandpa. 

Danney was preceded in death by his father, Daniel Cruz, and his granddaughter, Violet Hawthorne. 

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, December 23, 2017 from 12:00 - 2:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking on the north side of the building.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in his name to Primary Children's Hospital.  

We thank you for all of your love and support.