Ruben Reyes

On January 18, 2024, Ruben Reyes met, at the gates of heaven and with open arms, his mother, Alicia de la Vega, and mother in-law, Consuelo Moreno.  A father, grandfather and great grandfather, Ruben leaves a legacy of values through his offspring of three daughters, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.  He was born in Juarez, Mexico, on November 20, 1949, to Ruben Arturo Reyes and Alicia de la Vega.  At the age of 12, tragedy struck Ruben when his mother died.  Providentially, his aunt Gloria and her husband Rafael Rangel took him and his younger sister Magdalena, into their home and raised them as their own.  He joined a family of seven boys who he embraced as brothers: Ralph, Rudy, Robert, Ricky, Raul and Rene.

Ruben graduated from El Paso Technical High School in 1969, having first attended Beal Elementary School and Zavala Middle School.  At El Paso Tech, he was a member of the varsity baseball and the wrestling teams.   At this time, he also met the love of his life, Leonor Moreno, and they married soon afterwards.  While Ruben and Leonor saved for their own place, they lived with his mother in law, Consuelo and her other two children, Arturo and Victoria.  Ruben and Leonor remained married for 54 years and were only separated by his recent passing.

A hard, intelligent worker, Ruben was hired by Southwest Sheet Metal Works where he became a proud member of the Sheet Metal Workers Union, Local 49.  His two year apprenticeship led to his becoming a journeyman and later a foreman where he directed his own team. His expertise was layout and design; and with his team he developed a nationwide reputation.  Based in El Paso, he and his team worked across the country participating in the construction of some of the then biggest and most complex jobs in his field.   Among them was a General Motors factory in Tennessee that became the sole manufacturing plant for a new concept car called the Saturn.  His team also worked on the construction of one of Intel’s largest semiconductor manufacturing plants at Rio Rancho in the Albuquerque metro area.  During his work-related absences, Leonor took care of their three daughters Alicia, Elizabeth and Erica.   

Leonor and Ruben spent five years living in an apartment during which time they literally build their own home in Socorro.  Their beautiful home became and continues to be a sanctuary for the entire family.  Financially astute and disciplined they later purchased a second home in Ruidoso, New Mexico.  Ruben retired at 55, which positioned him to enjoy his homes and dedicate his time to helping his family and others navigate life’s challenges; whether they be health-related, spiritual, or as simple as changing a flat tire.  Everyone knew that Papo (his grandchildren’s designation) was always available, especially when emergencies arose.  Still, some of his best times involved sitting in the comfort of his Ruidoso lodge, next to his fireplace with Leonor and their dog Macy.  They would watch old movies or football games and afterwards would visit with friends at the local racetrack.

Ruben will be deeply missed by all who knew him and his surviving family:  sister Magdalena Egure; the Rangel brothers:  Ralph, Rudy, Robert, Ricky, Raul and Rene; wife Leonor Reyes; daughters:  Alicia Reyes Gonzalez (Pilo), Elizabth Soza (Tony), Erika Delgado (Carlos); grandchildren:   Amber Balderas (Reyes), Illiana Diaz, Matt Tarango, Priscilla Tarango, Celina Delgado (Jesus Corpus), Carlos Delgado (Sarah) and Ruben Delgado; and great-grandchildren:  Zoe Rodrigues, Layla Rodrigues, Anthony Mendoza, Sergio Munoz, Jr., Elizabeth Munoz Eain Delgado, and Carlitos Delgado, Jr.  

Visitation and viewing are scheduled for Friday, January 26, 2024, from 5:00 to 9:00 PM with a prayer service starting at 7:00 PM at Sunset Funeral home-Americas, 9521 North Loop Drive, El Paso, TX.  A Celebration of Life will begin at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Abundant Living East, 1000 Valley Crest Dr. El Paso, TX.