Ruben R. Terrazas

Ruben R. Terrazas, 90, born on February 21, 1931, in Sierra Blanca, TX, United States, passed away February 3, 2021 at home surrounded by his loved ones. He resided in Los Angeles, CA at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Glendale, California. Ruben was a storyteller. He loved to share fond memories of growing up on the ranch in Sierra Blanca. Always a hard worker from an early age, his first job was at the town's hardware store; he then made a small shoe-shine box and shined shoes of Soldiers passing through town on their way to the nearby Army base as well as others around town to earn money. He also worked in the fields to help support the family. The family moved from Texas to California in1947 and in 1952 he met his wife Lupe. They were married September 4, 1954 in Bakersfield, CA. In the early 1960's Ruben moved his family to Los Angeles and began a career in construction, with focus on cement work. He was great at his trade, recognized for his work ethic he soon became a foreman. Upon completion of a job, he would proudly drive his family by a building or job site to show the work he was honored to be a part of. He was a member of the Local 300 Union. He retired in 1992. After all of those years of work and no vacation he finally got to do some travelling. He and his wife made their frequent visits to Arizona and Bakersfield to visit family. They also travelled to Hawaii, Cancun, Florida, Niagara Falls, Sedona, Lake Havasu, took a cruise to Mexico AND he went to Sierra Blanca, the town where he grew up. He was intelligent, kind, loving, patient, and loved animals! He had a great sense of humor and had some great sayings, like when we would ask him where are you going? His response was "I'm going to go see a man about a horse". He grew up in tough times and made many sacrifices. As a result of having to work to help support the family he didn't get the opportunity to finish school beyond 8th grade. He was so proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren and attended their graduations from Pre-K to college. He was also their biggest fan and attended their basketball, football and baseball games as well as dance recitals and color guard. Ruben was the second child of seven, son of Gonzalo and Maria Terrazas. He is preceded in death by his beautiful daughter, Sylvia Terrazas, his parents, brothers Robert and Yopi and sister Blanca. He was a devoted and loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He leaves behind his wife of 66 years, Guadalupe (Lupe) Terrazas; daughter Adelaida (Yai) Terrazas; three sons, Ruben Terrazas (Kitty), Louie Terrazas (Leslie), David Terrazas (Danita); nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his two sisters; Rosie Jones, Lupe Mesa (Sal) and his younger brother Turi Terrazas (Blanca). In lieu of flowers or gifts, his family requests that you make a donation in his memory to Alzheimer's Los Angeles, 4221 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90010. www.alzheimersla.org/donate/ or via phone with Jennifer Holloway at (323) 930-6246. Select the option to make the donation a memorial in the name of Ruben R. Terrazas.