Louis Manuel Cruz

Louis “Louie” Manuel Cruz, 56, of Muskogee, Oklahoma passed away on November 21, 2021. He was born on March 30, 1965 to Miguel Cruz, Sr. and Eva Balogh in Hempstead, New York. His family moved to Hollywood, Florida when he was 7 years old and that is where his love for martial arts began. Bruce Lee was his idol that fueled his love for martial arts. Louie and his brothers started karate together in Florida. They moved to Tennessee then to Las Vegas and eventually back to Florida. At the age of 14, Louie's family moved to Oklahoma where he attended Muskogee Public Schools and met his junior high sweetheart. When Louie was 18 he wanted to see what life had to offer. Louie moved to New York where he lived with his great Aunt Caroline. After living in New York Louie moved to Hollywood, Florida where he furthered his education by becoming a certified HVAC technician. Louie was able to continue his education in Florida with the help of a special friend, Donna who was like a mother to him. Louie also discovered his love for Tae Kwon Do while living in Florida. Louie then moved back to Oklahoma where he rekindled his relationship with his Jr. High Sweetheart, Lynn Chubick. They had two children together Ryan and Brandon Cruz. Louie continued his career in the heating and air industry working for various heating and air companies in the Tulsa and Muskogee area and started his own heating and air business on the side. Louie’s most recent work in the heating & air industry was done at Johnstone Supply working the parts counter. Louie enjoyed visiting with all the technicians that came into the store and made many friends over the several years that he worked for Johnstone Supply. In 1998 Louie was able to continue his love for the martial arts by opening his own Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai and kickboxing school “Dragonfly DoJo”. Over the 23 years of teaching in the Muskogee community Louie has touched the lives of many students both young and old. Louie has also been a mentor to many of the kids from the DoJo and he has left a lasting impression on their lives forever. Louie also had many Muay Thai fighters that he trained over the years that won championship belts. Louie also formed his own combating style of martial arts known as Jan Gun Son “meaning General’s hand”. Over the many years that Louie devoted to Tae Kwon Do he was able to obtain many black belt rankings. Prior to his death Louie was 6th degree master black belt. Louie passed his love for marital arts onto his sons Ryan and Brandon who spent many hours training with their father. Louie’s brother Charlie shared the same love for martial arts and was Louie’s head instructor at DoJo. They plan to carry on Louie’s legacy at “Dragonfly DoJo”. After becoming a Master Mason, Louie joined the Bedouin Shrine as another way to support his community and raise money for the many Shriner Hospitals that provide medical care to children in need. In 2015 Louie met Temre Morgan while at a kickboxing fight in Tulsa. Over the next several years their friendship developed and she became the love of his life. Louie proposed to Temre during an XFN fight on national TV. They planned to be married on the beach in Florida however due to COVID they were forced to postpone their wedding. Temre and Louie shared a passion for the fight industry and acting. Louie was able to start choreographing fight scenes in the film industry which he enjoyed. Louie was preceded in death by his aunt, Caroline Kovi; stepfather, George Meggyes; niece, Kari (Darnel) Cruz; ex-mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jerry and Joy Chubick. He is survived by his sons, Ryan Cruz and fiancé Keely Phillips of Muskogee, OK, and Brandon Cruz of Muskogee, OK; mother, Eva Balogh of Muskogee, OK; fiancé, Temre Morgan of Lincoln AR; brothers Mike Cruz and wife Alicia of Muskogee, OK, Charlie Meggyes of Muskogee, OK, and Chris Meggyes of Muskogee, OK; grandchildren, Kolten Cruz, Scout Cruz, Hunter Cruz all of Muskogee, OK, Addison Balcom, Hailey Coll and Landen Lane all of Arkansas; nephew, Jon Meggyes of Muskogee, OK; niece, Krystle Cruz of Tulsa, OK; special family members, Donna, Linda, Erika, Ryan and Derek all of Florida; and numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends; and special support pup, Gus Rocket. Visitation will be 9am-8pm, Friday, November 26, 2021 at Cornerstone Funeral Home. The family will greet friends 5PM-7PM Friday, November 26, 2021 at Cornerstone Funeral Home Chapel. A celebration of Louis’ life will be at 2PM, Saturday, November 27, 2021 at Cornerstone Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Donnie Echols and Rev. Roosevelt Roy, Jr. officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Scott Wiseley, Scott Shultz, Alex Arnall, Robbie Rainwater, John Meggyes, Cody Jackson, Colten McCaslin, Doyle Clark and Chris Barnes.

Louis Manuel Cruz

March 30, 1965 - November 21, 2021