Ruben Urrutia

Ruben Urrutia, 89, of El Paso, TX, peacefully passed away on December 15^th surrounded by loved ones. 

Ruben Urrutia was born on February 23, 1933 to Luis Castro Urrutia and Rebecca Salinas Urrutia in El Paso, TX.  Ruben graduated from Bowie High School in 1953 and attended The University of Texas in El Paso briefly before enlisting in the Navy, in which he served for eight years. 

Ruben met his wife Dolores in 1953, they went on to have three children, Lisbeth, Ruben and James and were married for 67 years.

After returning to El Paso, TX, he opened his first business, South Side Motors, as a used car salesman and business owner.  Later, changing his course and his business to South Side Wrecking where as a demolition contractor dismantled the St. Regis Hotel, Southwest National Bank building, the old downtown Zork Hardware Store and several shops in La Villita Complex and approximately 55 tenements in his native Segundo Barrio.  Clearing the path bounded by Texas, Kansas, Myrtle and Stanton streets, he and his crew of 22 men made way for the new office building of the El Paso Natural Gas Company.

Other projects included dismantling of the old Federal Reserve Bank and premises once occupied by Crichet Printing Co., The Baker Hotel, Kemp and Solis Real Estate, Le Carlo Lounge and the Fallout retail store.  Once again, Ruben evolved and Southside Wrecking developed into RU Builders, where for many years he did work all over El Paso remodeling and landscaping.   He Continued till the very end, participating in the renovation of the Cristo Rey Monastery of Perpetual Adoration and forever favorite Chicos Tacos.  He will always be remembered and loved for his hard work and generosity with family, friends, colleagues, and employees. 

“In my way of thinking, everything old has to come down and make way for the new....”

- Ruben Urrutia Sr.

Ruben is proceeded in death by his parents, Luis and Rebecca, his sisters Emma Calvillo, Dora Guillen, and Grace Turner, his brother Luis Urrutia, and his son-in law Arturo Pacheco.  He is survived by his wife, Dolores Urrutia, and their three children, Lisbeth Pacheco, James Urrutia (Amanda), and Ruben Urrutia (Sarah). His sisters, Irene Orange and Becky Charles and his brother, Hector Urrutia (Marlene). His grandchildren, Michelle (Robert), Christopher, Desiree (Luis), Matthew, Sienna, Autumn, Victoria, Alex and James Nicholas.  He was blessed with 7 great grandchildren.

Services will be held at Sunset Funeral Home 750 N. Carolina on Thursday, December 22, 2022 from 4:00-8:00, Rosary will be held at 6:00.  Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, December 23, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Santo Nino De Atocha on 210 S Clark Drive.  If you would like to join procession, please meet at Sunset Funeral Home by 9:15 a.m.

Those who cannot attend in person may join the funeral and
memorial services virtually on Facebook Live at
https://www.facebook.com/sunsetfuneralhome