Sportscaster Gary Cruz, who worked in Phoenix, Denver and Los Angeles, dies at age 68

Gary Cruz, a popular sportscaster in Phoenix, Denver and Los Angeles, died Thursday of cancer.

Cruz, 68, was best known for his work in Denver on two television stations (KUSA, KMGH) from 1973-90, a run that included covering four Super Bowl appearances by the Denver Broncos.

He then worked on KCAL in Los Angeles from 1990-97 and KPHO in Phoenix from 1999-2009 before retiring from TV work.

Cruz joined Ryan Woodcock to form a public relations company, CruzWood Communications, that specialized in golf including work with the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

"In Denver, he was like a superstar," said his son Kevin Cruz, "His smile was so infectious and how he lit up the room. If you met Gary Cruz once, you knew him. He was never a fake broadcaster. What you saw on TV was what you saw on the street. People were just comfortable coming you and saying hey man. He was already their friend."

Cruz grew up in Pleasanton, Calif., and served in Vietnam. He worked early in his career in Denver radio before moving to television. He also had some small acting roles including as a newscaster in the movies "Independence Day" and "Godzilla."

Cruz overcame prostate cancer in 2006 but in November revealed via Facebook that he was "in the fight of my life against cancer," that started in his lungs and spread. While undergoing treatment, he worked when possible including an appearance on "Backspin the Golf Show" in January and walking the TPC course during the Phoenix Open media day.

"That was one of his last really good day," Kevin Cruz said. "I had a cart, but he said I'll walk. He loved golf. Golf was his way of getting out to sports just for him."

Cruz is survived by his wife Trish and Kevin.

The family will hold a 19th hole celebration of Cruz's life from 5-7:30 p.m. March 17 at Gainey Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale.