Ruben R. Perez

Ruben R. Perez rose to Heaven on June 15, 2025, Father’s Day, at his home surrounded by his wife and children. Ruben was born in San Antonio, Texas to John and Rosa Perez in 1944. He attended Brackenridge High School and was an entrepreneur his whole life serving others in all he did. He was loved by anyone who knew him.

He met the love of his life, Elmira, early at the age of 16. Becoming high school sweethearts, they married four years later on September 4th, 1965. Their dream was to start a family, and they did so early in 1966 and 1968 with their first two children, Veronica and Ruben Jr., who were joined in 1979 by Crystal. Ruben loved his children dearly and gave his everything for them. He was thrilled to become a “grandpa” and was immensely proud of his grandchildren--Valerie and Ruben William (RW)—being able to watch RW graduate from Air Force training and Valerie graduate nursing school.

Ruben had a plethora of friends, many of them lifelong from high school, and he enjoyed a very active friendship with all his friends, attending monthly luncheons and near-monthly dances where you’d be hard pressed to get Ruben off the dance floor. He loved dancing and always kept his dancing shoes polished and ready for the next song. His friends loved him and knew they were equally loved.

While most people are still asleep at 4 a.m., that’s when you could find Ruben working out at Gold’s Gym. His dedication to his fitness was inspiring and he’d excitedly talk about how he would exercise on every machine and the treadmill in the four hours he spent there. Ruben also took great pleasure in his work and enjoyed working his whole life in businesses where he could help people. But his true passion was his family (from his wife to his children, to his grandchildren, and his son- and daughter-in-law). His family will always remember him as completely devoted to them, stopping at nothing to give them everything. Everyone will also remember his ability to never answer a question without a joke and using his positivity and tenacity to always remain steadfast in any situation or life storm.

Forever we will hear him saying every morning, “It’s time to rise and shine!” especially as his words take on new meaning with his rising to his new eternal life in Heaven. So, rise and shine, Ruben, dad, grandpa, friend. We know you are a bright shining star in God’s kingdom, and you will forever shine in our hearts on Earth until we’re each reunited with you.

Ruben was preceded in death by his father, John; his mother, Rosa; his brothers Johnny, Moses, Adam, and Leonard; and his sisters, Evangelina Thomas and Rosemarie Collazo. He is survived by his wife, Elmira and their three children, Veronica [Bill] Spencer, Ruben Jr. [Celina], and Crystal; his granddaughter, Valerie; his grandson, Ruben William; his brother, Marcelo [Martha]; his sister-in-law, Esther; brother-in-law, Raul Lopez; numerous loving nieces and nephews; and a host of long-time friends.

Viewing will be held Tuesday, June 24th at Puente and Sons Funeral Chapel (Judson Rd.) from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:30 p.m. The funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, June 25th at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Huebner Rd.) directly followed by the burial at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery (Nacogdoches Rd).