Fernando Ruiz

Fernando Ruiz, born May 13, 1929, residing in Tucson, Arizona passed away on August 29, 2022, after a battle with cancer. After growing up in Tucson, he married Artemisia Borquez Ruiz on Halloween in 1948, and went on to have seven beautiful children whom he raised in California and Arizona. Fernando and Artemisia were married for 38 years before she sadly proceeded him in death.

Fernando lived a full life, he was an avid Dodgers fan, he enjoyed taking care of animals to include dogs and horses, he loved both watching and playing golf, betting on horse races, and working everyday up into his eighties. He made friends wherever he went which led to many opportunities and jobs to include car driver on movie sets and driver for a car dealership, caddy for professional golfers, an extra in a movie, ice plant worker, Supervisor at Pima County Animal Control Center, and later retiring from Raytheon. He took pride in hard work and his independence. He lived on his own independently into his nineties and exercised daily for as long as he could. He took pride in an excellent memory and could recall even the names of his elementary teachers.

He is survived by seven grateful children Angelina Cates wife of Arthur Cates, Fernando Ruiz, Dolores Barrios wife of Paul Barrios, twins Leonard and Lawrence Ruiz and Leonard’s wife Jenny Ruiz, Theresa Romero wife of Joe Romero, and Sylvia Ruiz. He was blessed to be loved by his 16 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and 20 great-great grandchildren and he greatly valued being part of their lives. He also had many nieces, nephews, cousins and countless other relatives and friends whom he loved.

Fernando was proceeded in death by his own father, Jose Ruiz and mother, Guadalupe Guerrero Ruiz; wife Artemisia Ruiz, his beloved brothers Chano and Eddie, two grandsons, Gerard Romero and Leonard “Junior” Ruiz, and great-grandson Logan Barrios.

A funeral service for Fernando will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2022, beginning with a visitation at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Rosary at 9:30 a.m. at Martinez funeral home at 2580 S. 6th, Tucson AZ 85713. He will then be laid to rest with his wife at 12:00 at Holy Hope Cemetery, 3555 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705, following the service.