Ruben H. Fragoso

Ruben Fragoso Herrera was born on January 7, 1946 in Los Herreras, Durango, Mexico and passed away on March 27, 2019 in El Paso, Texas. His parents were Lucio Fragoso and Mercedes Herrera. His siblings are Carmen Virchis, Lucio Fragoso, Guadalupe F. Padilla, and Martha Fragoso. His mother died when he was seventeen years old. He had to grow up very fast and assist his maternal grandmother in the care of his siblings. Ruben graduated from Escuela Tecnica Comercial de Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico with a degree in accounting. After graduation he worked at el Banco de Juarez for 15 years. He later worked at American Furniture in El Paso as a debt collector. Ruben was very sympathetic to customers and often encouraged them to make payment before their furniture was repossessed. He often participated in the company’s softball team and volunteered to deliver donated Christmas presents to needy families. He then worked for Chevron for 20 years before retiring in 2008. He also supported his wife in ownership and management of the Hairdo’s California Concept hair salon for 39 years.

Ruben and Gloria were married on April 7, 1968. They were married nearly 51 years. Every Sunday they went to church and often loved to have breakfast at Village Inn afterwards. Ruben and Gloria have three children – Gloria, Ruben Jr., and Alejandro. They married Joseph Mondragon, Xochitl Anaya, and Elizabeth Munger, respectively. They also have seven grandchildren: Bella Fragoso, Nicholas Mondragon, Ellie Fragoso, Adrian Mondragon, Iris Fragoso, Emma Fragoso, and Lily Fragoso.

Ruben loved playing sports and enjoying food. He played handball weekly with his nephew Gonzalo and other friends. They often said he had a “mean game” and that he was very agile. Ruben was a very competitive player. He also enjoyed taking his children to El Paso Diablos baseball games. Favorite family outings were visiting Washington Park, swimming at the public pool, and eating Church’s chicken.

Ruben instilled the value of education in his children and provided his family with the American dream. He loved visiting his children and grandchildren. He always provided and took care of his family even when facing serious health issues. Ruben was a loving father and grandfather and he will be greatly missed.