RUEBEN ELIAS CASTILLO

On Tuesday, February 19, 2013, Ruben Elias Castillo, age 66, passed away at St. Agnes Medical Center after a long struggle with kidney disease. Ruben was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, a first generation American. At the age of 20 he joined the U.S. Air Force where he served for four years. After two years in Vietnam he returned to Los Angeles and met the love of his life, Leslee Ann Lange. They were engaged after two weeks and married within five months. Ruben graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a degree in Economics. He earned his law degree from the University of Southern California in 1977, becoming a lifelong Trojan. He began his career by practicing corporate law for IBM. In 1984 he and his family relocated to Clovis, California where he worked in private practice, followed by a stellar 17-year career in the Fresno County Counsel's office. In 2002, Ruben became County Counsel for Merced County. He established a private practice from 2006-2010, when he retired due to illness. Ruben is survived by Leslee, his wife of 42 years; their four children: Courtnay Bragg and her husband Richard, Matt Castillo and his wife Rachel, Ryan Castillo, and Brad Castillo; and four grandchildren, Chloe, Ainsley and Sophia Castillo, and Richard Bragg III. Ruben loved his family, loved to play golf, and loved USC football. His children will remember him for his dedication to family, strength of will and his enduring love and support. His grandchildren will remember how he loved to be silly and tell stories of when he was little. A Celebration of Life Reception will take place on Sunday, February 24, 2013, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Clovis Veterans Memorial Building, 808 Fourth St. in Clovis.