Manuel Cruz

Manny was born to Maria Martinez on May 26, 1949 in San Turce, Puerto Rico. As a young child, his mother and siblings relocated to New York City, where he grew up playing scully, stickball, & was always ready for a pickup game of baseball. His girls loved to hear stories of his mischievous adventures on the streets of Brooklyn. In 1968 he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn and soon after joined the US Navy. He served from March 1969 - December 1970 in various ports of call, including Saigon Harbor aboard the USS Tappahannock during the Vietnam Conflict. He always was very proud and grateful to have been born an American and allowed the privilege to serve his country. He was the owner of the Big M Hardware in Brooklyn, NY until his call to ministry. He attended Tennessee Temple University (Chattanooga, TN) and transferred to Grace College of the Bible (Omaha, NE) where he received a BA in Bible/Pastoral Ministry. Later he attended Louisiana Baptist Theological Seminary earning a Masters of Theology.

Manuel met his wife Tammy in 1982 at Tennessee Temple. They married August 27, 1983 and went on to adopt 2 children, Alicia Maria Fralin in 1989 and Teshenna Luisa Spencer in 1990.  Upon graduation from Bible College he pastored Graham Union Church in Graham Missouri (1988-1991), planted Iglesia Agua Viva in Omaha, NE (1991-1993), pastored Community Baptist Church in Omaha, NE (1993-2003), and ended his pastoral career at Tyson Foods as a corporate chaplain from 2003-2013 when he retired. Even though he retired professionally, he never retired spiritually, because he continued to influence and impact people’s lives until the very end.

In addition to being a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He loved watching baseball - especially The Yankees, doing jigsaw puzzles and watching Westerns on TV. Spending time with family was his greatest joy next to sharing Jesus and spending time in God’s Word.  Manny also loved sharing Jesus with everyone he came in contact with. He knew no strangers and always wanted to make sure he left everyone he came in contact with closer to the Lord than when they met him. Throughout his entire life, he held an unwavering faith in God, which he shared with those who surrounded him.

Manuel joins in Heaven his mother: Maria; sisters: Mary Cruz, Josephina Baez and Ulidalina (Chique) Sastre; brothers: Jose and Herberto.

He is survived by his wife: Tammy; daughters: Alicia (Mike) Fralin and Teshenna (Terrance) Spencer; grandchildren: including Joshua Fralin, Alana Fralin, Alexander Fralin, Alijah Fralin, Avery Fralin, Adriana Spencer, and Malani Spencer; sisters: Elsa (Larry) Howard, Carmen (Hector) Quiles, Lucy (John) Palermo, and Adela Castro. He will be missed tremendously by all those left behind.