Ruben Acosta

On Saturday, June 4, 2022, at the age of 83, our father, our “abuelo,” our hero, successfully finished his mission on earth. At that moment, Ruben Acosta received his medal of honor in heaven for standing up for what he believed against communist oppression. A man of great faith, he, fought for and suffered for his belief in Jesus Christ against a repressive Cuban government. At his passing, he left behind his cherished Bible which he read every day for guidance and strength. Now, this brave man is in heaven with the creator and author experiencing the everlasting rewards and promises of this precious book.

Ruben Acosta was born in Santa Clara, Cuba on August 12, 1938 to Lucilla Rodriguez and Paulino Acosta. In the 1960’s he was working for the Cuban government in a bureaucratic position while Castro was coming to power. Ruben, our father, was given an opportunity to keep his job if he pledged his allegiance to the new communist regime. However, he refused to sign the pledge because the creed called for him to denounce his faith and to pledge his loyalty only to the communist government. As a result, soldiers arrived at his home to arrest him and they gave him 2 minutes to pack his clothes in a pillowcase. Our father was sent to a political prison camp where he was tortured in horrible ways. Yet, he endured it all and survived because of the love he had for his wife and children. Eventually, he was able to take his family to America to build a better life where freedom abounds.

Because of his foresight in the early 1970’s, when the middle class was being pushed out, he managed to obtain Visas to Spain for his family. However, at the airport, he gave all his money to the ticket clerk to put him and our family on a plane to Miami, Florida where we were able to claim political asylum. He took a leap of faith and entered America with nothing but the clothes we were wearing. Our family was then able to join his brother, Elio, in Fort Worth and make a home.

Our father worked hard at every job he obtained, building on the American dream for his family. He dedicated himself to hard work, because he cherished the freedom to believe, to speak without fear of persecution and to worship as he pleased –all the rights and freedoms Americans are privileged to hold.

Although Ruben loved his life in America, he never forgot his former life in Cuba, the country that was ripped from him as a young father, the country that was taken from his people.

Ruben was preceded in death by his parents, Paulino Acosta and Lucila Rodriguez; his sister Hilda Acosta, and his brother Elio Acosta. He is survived by his daughters, Noemi “Mimi” Ogle, Suni Lespagnol, and his son, Marcos Acosta; his grandchildren, Zachary, Nathan, Cloe, Sofie, Chance, and his great-granddaughter, Dylan, who sparked a twinkle in his eye and loved dearly, and his great-grandsons Elio and Tryton. He is also survived by his lifetime companion and mother of his children, Ildolidia Acosta, and by several nieces, nephew, and their children.

Our father walked right into heaven into the arms of his gracious God who will reward him a million times over for refusing to denounce his faith and standing for freedom. All who loved him should remember that we will see him again in a place where all is good and perfect and where we will experience the complete freedom that our father, Ruben Acosta, now has in Christ Jesus. May our faith and courage be as unwavering as his. May our family continue to carry his legacy of bravery and courage in the midst of hard times.

A funeral service for Ruben will be held Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Moore Funeral Home, 1219 North Davis Drive, Arlington, TX 76012. A committal service will occur Tuesday, June 14, 2022 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Greenwood Mount Olivet, 3100 White Settlement RD, Fort Worth, TX 76107. A visitation will occur Tuesday, June 14, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 1219 North Davis Drive, Arlington, TX 76012.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.moore-funeralhome.com for the Acosta family.