Ruben "Rj" James Degollado Jr.

Ruben James Degollado Jr. gained his angel wings on June 21, 2022 at the young age of 19. He was born on April 29, 2003 to his parents Solana Renee Morton and Ruben James Degollado Sr. in Harlingen, Texas.

Ruben Jr., known affectionately to his family and friends as “RJ”, graduated from Cypress Woods High School in the summer of 2021. He was known to his family for his heart of gold, kind and tender soul, and naturally nurturing nature. RJ lived a beautiful life and loved life; especially when his family was able to all be together. He was always respectful to those around him, and he was always encouraging and verbally affectionate to his family. RJ loved animals and would often promote his vegan lifestyle and its health benefits to his family; he would always encourage them to take care of themselves. He worked hard in life but played harder, he was competitive at everything. RJ loved to take speedy joy rides on his motorcycle, listen to music, play video games, and spend time with his family. He was a faithful God fearing young man, and his kind and tender soul was always forgiving. RJ was very protective of his family, especially with his little sister; his family was the most important thing in the world to him. RJ was a loving son, brother, and grandson, who left this world far too soon, but his memory will forever live on within the hearts of his family and all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Rickey Dale Morton; and great-grandparents, Maria Garcia Rodriguez and Severino Rodriguez, “Papo” Ruben Moreno Degollado, and Horace and Mary Morton.

He is lovingly survived by his mother, Solana Morton and her husband Arthur Marquette; father, Ruben James Degollado Sr. and his wife Danielle Degollado; siblings, Jonathan Morton-Munoz and Linda Degollado; step-siblings Chloe Kishbaugh and Tyler Kishbaugh; grandmother, Olga Morton; grandparents, Ruben Manuel Degollado and his wife Martina Degollado, and Estella Muniz Toribio and her husband Victor Toribio; grandparents by marriage, Katherine and James Marquette; great-grandmother, Maria Del Socorro Degollado; family fur-babies, Cooper, Toby, and Moon; in addition to numerous other extended family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorial donations be made to one of RJ's favorite charities, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Degollado family.