TIMOTHY "TIM" RUIZ

1955 - 2016

Timothy Adrian Ruiz, 61, of Bakersfield passed away peacefully on October 31, 2016. Tim was the eldest son, born on September 13, 1955 to Albert and Olga Ruiz. Tim was raised in Delano, CA and attended St. Mary's Elementary School, Delano High, and graduated from Fresno State with a degree in Recreational Mgmt., and earned a Master of Public Administration from CSUB. He spent most of his career working in the Parks and Recreation field in Delano and Bakersfield, and later as a teacher at various Kern County school districts.
Tim is preceded in death by his parents Albert and Olga Ruiz. He is survived by his sisters, Amanda Ruiz and Dorene Ruiz of Bakersfield, brother Mark Ruiz (Ana) of Delano, nieces Corinne Ornelas of Bakersfield, Kristine Ruiz and Adrianna Ruiz of Delano, and Sarah Schindler Brinton (Jerad) and grandniece, Alicia Isobel Brinton, of Moore, ID.
Tim lead a very active life that included annual bike races in Mexico and participating, as well as officiating, in various basketball, softball, baseball, and volleyball leagues. He had a love of life and was always ready to try new experiences. Over the course of his lifetime, he experienced sky diving, rock climbing, river rafting, hang-gliding, and even attended pilot training. In recent years, Tim took up Salsa Dancing, and eventually became an instructor at Studio 9 in Bakersfield. He was an active member of the salsa dancing community, and attended many Salsa dancing events and festivals in Kern and Tulare counties. He enjoyed sharing his experiences with everyone he met; Tim was always the life of the party, and it was his mission to make sure everyone around him was having a good time as well. Tim's love of life was only surpassed by the love for his family and friends. It is a comfort to know that he has so many great friends to remember him.
The Ruiz family would like to thank the Nunez family, and our cousins, the Meza, Lugo, Serros, Medina and Risenhoover families, for their love and support during this difficult time.
A rosary and mass for Tim will be held on Friday, November 11th, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Church 1732 11th Ave, Delano, with interment to follow at North Kern Cemetery, 627 Austin St., Delano. A reception celebrating his life will be held after burial at Our Lady of Guadalupe Hall, 1015 Clinton St, Delano. Greenlawn Mortuary 661-324-9701.