Ruben A. Cruz,76, of Santa Paula, CA passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on 10/26/23.
Ruben was born March 24, 1947 to Juan and Jesse Cruz of Coachella, CA. He grew up in the Coachella Valley and attended Coachella Valley High School.
He was married at age 19 to his first love, and together they had a baby boy, Ruben Cruz Jr. and baby girl, Vivian (Cruz) Gonzalez. He worked in construction, but eventually became a TEAMSTER truck driver for the Local 186.
In 1980, he met the love of his life, Debbie (New) Cruz while working in Blythe, CA. Ruben and Debbie were inseparable. They married just a few years later. In June 1983 they welcomed their only child together, Danette Cruz. Debbie's son Ruben Belmudez was just 4 years old when his mom and Ruben met. He has always referred to him as his son.
In 1989, Ruben received a job offer to move to Ventura, CA to work with Maaco construction. Within 6 months he was injured and ended up giving up his career to do something less intense so he went to TEAMSTER truck driving school where he scored top of his class. Ruben's injury ended up being a lot more than he initially thought and he ended up permanently retiring in 1995. He was so proud to be a TEAMSTER.
After he retired, he spent most of his time coaching his youngest daughter in basketball and softball. He was a sports fanatic and if you knew anything about him...he loved the Dallas Cowboys and he defended them to the fullest! Every Sunday, he would kick his feet up and watch some football and when it wasn't football season, he was cheering on the New York Yankees.
After Debbie retired, they moved to Santa Paula, CA. He loved to go on walks all over the city and downtown area.
He is survived by his Wife, Debbie Cruz, his children: Ruben Cruz Jr (Stephanie Cruz), Vivian (Cruz) Gonzalez (Mauricio Gonzalez), Ruben Belmudez, and Danette Cruz (Mario Ventura); his brothers: Ray and Carlos Cruz; his sisters: Eleanor Rivas, Mary Ortiz, Margie Romero, and Dolores Michel; his grandchildren: Andrea Young, Delilah Cruz, Jonathan Cruz, Lily Cruz, Gabriel Gonzalez, Brenna Gonzalez, Gabriel Belmudez, Roman Ventura, Lily Ventura, and Mario Ventura, Jr; and seven great-grandchildren.
Family and friends are invited to visiting hours starting at 4pm on Friday, November 10, 2023 in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 East Main Street, Ventura, with a Funeral Service starting at 6 pm in the funeral home.