Jessica May (Cruz) McCarthy, 43, of Navarre, Florida passed away peacefully on March 30, 2022, after a 5-year, hard fought battle with cancer.
On September 8, 1978, Jessica was born in Key West, FL the daughter of Nick and Debbie Cruz. She married Paul McCarthy on Navarre Beach, FL November 10, 2012.
She is survived by her husband Paul and stepdaughter Kayla McCarthy of Navarre, FL, stepson Aaron McCarthy of Lincoln Park, MI, parents Nick and Debbie Cruz of Lakeland, FL, brother Jarrod Cruz-Stipsits, his husband Brian and their son Logan of Hernando Beach, FL, numerous cousins, aunts and uncles, her grandmother and hundreds of friends around the world.
Growing up, Jess learned woodworking in her parents’ small business and to the chagrin of much older men, she was in charge. She has been a leader and mentor her entire life.
Jess followed her father’s footsteps and entered the United States Air Force just prior to 9/11 and spent 13 years serving our country. She began her career as an Air Traffic Control apprentice at Keesler AFB, MS and was then stationed at Cannon AFB, NM. She switched career fields to Aviation Resource Management and was stationed at Hurlburt Field, FL and Mountain Home, ID. She deployed to northern Japan (deterrent mission to North Korea) with an F-16 squadron, Iraq twice in support of Air Force Special Operations missions, Afghanistan once in support of Special Operations and once with an Aeromedical Evacuation unit, and her final deployment was to the United Arab Emirates with her F-15E squadron. Her awards include the Air Force Commendation Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf cluster (6 total medals), Air Force Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device with 3 Oak Leaf clusters and numerous campaign medals. She had earned a promotion to Master Sergeant while stationed at Mountain Home AFB, ID but instead chose to separate from the Air Force to be with her husband and stepdaughter in Florida.
Upon returning to Florida, Jess entered an accelerated nursing school at Fortis Institute where she excelled and earned her Associates of Science degree in Nursing (ASN) graduating second in her class in 2016. She then began work at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola on a renal (kidney) and respiratory ward. She worked there until her cancer diagnosis. She returned to Fortis several times to speak to nursing students about being a patient and was a guest speaker for a graduation class in 2018.
Cancer didn’t stop her from learning or pursuing her goals. In 2018 she began working on her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree with Chamberlain University, graduating in Dec 2019. She took classes and scheduled tests around her every other week chemotherapy sessions.
Jess loved animals, especially her chihuahua Tia who passed away one day after her. She didn’t meet a dog that she didn’t stop to pet and love.
Travel was also something Jess loved to do and made friends everywhere she went. She wasn’t afraid to try new things from snowboarding in Japan without lessons (instructors didn’t speak English) to scuba diving with sharks in the Bahamas and ziplining and white water rafting in Montana and Tennessee. Cancer slowed her down but didn’t keep her from seeing the world and all the wonderful people in it.
Service will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery at Naval Air Station Pensacola on April 12, 2022 at 1130. A Flamingo Fabulous celebration of life party will be held at Johnny Huston’s Grill and Bar in Navarre starting at 6 pm. Dress code for both events is flamingos, purple, or something joyous.
Jessica was a special person who I had the pleasure of meeting though her friend Alicia Spurling . When you met her you knew right away what a kind soul and calm presence she had . Her light will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Our deep condolences to our dear friends Jarrod, Brian and Logan, and to the entire family. May be memory always be a blessing to you.
Rev. Dr. Jim Merritt and Albert Knight Leach
Jessica was an exceptionally bright light. We met her and Paul cruising down the Rhine river. So much fun which included them both at times. We became fb friends immediately. My condolences to Paul, Kayla, the family, Alicia with a “G” , and all her closest friends, and friends in general. I can tell over the years of reading her posts that she never knew a stranger. From one vet to another, thank you for your service. God bless you all.
Jess was an amazing person. I met her and Paul through mutual friends at the beginning of her cancer journey. I’ve kept up with her via FB as we’ve moved twice since and have always made time to send her a note of encouragement. I watched my sister fight cancer so I wanted to send her good vibes. I am glad she left peacefully and even more glad that her and Paul got to see the world together. God rest her soul and heal the hearts of the ones left behind.
I first met Jessica when she was born and then again when she was staying with Estella and Lee. She was always a very friendly sweet person. I know her family will miss her dearly. May you all remember good times with her.I know saying sorry is not enough but I hope you will find sol e with each other
Kayla, I did not meet her, but she sounds like an AMAZING woman! And ii I know how important she was to you, your father, and others! 43 is way, way too young! I am so sorry for your family’s loss. Try to draw strength from the strength that was in her, to carry on, do well, and continue to care about others. I have no doubt that she would want you to continue to love her, but to also have a life filled with promise, achievements, and more love! Take care, dear Kayla!!
Even though we only met in passing and never had a chance to really get to know each, we will miss her smile and delightful presence. Prayers for Jess, Paul, and the family. .