Julian Najera Ruiz

passed away on November 26, 2024 surrounded by family.

Family and friends are invited to attend the funeral service which will be held on Friday, December

13, 2024, 12:15pm at Holy Family Church, 4848 Pearl Avenue, San Jose. Burial will follow at Oak

Hill Memorial Park, 300 Curtner Avenue, San Jose.

Julian was born in the Mission District of San Fransico on March 22, 1943 to Juan Ruiz and

Genoveva Najera Ruiz. He was 1 of 18 children, with 8 surviving siblings. Julian grew up in Santa

Maria, CA. From early on he was a nurturer; many days before going off to school he would help

his mother in many ways, including combing and braiding his sisters’ hair. In the summertime, he

worked in the surrounding agriculture fields to provide supplemental income for his family.

After graduating high school in 1961, Julian enlisted in the Army and served for 4 years. He was

honorably discharged in 1965. That same year he married the love of his life, Emma Palomar on

October 17, 1965. They were married for 59 years.

Julian began working in the tire industry before developing a long career as a Construction

Foreman. He was dedicated and driven, attending night school to obtain a degree in Landscape

Architecture to further his career. He worked 7 days a week, along with many side jobs, to provide

a Catholic education for his children and a better quality of life compared to what he had growing

up. After retiring from construction, he started a new career at the Valley Transportation Authority

in Santa Clara County.

Julian cared so much about others. During his years as a Construction Foreman he advocated for

undocumented workers, rallying for fair pay and good working conditions. He was a supporter and

active member of the labor union. He carried his advocacy into his retirement, belonging to the

Moose Lodge for 5 years and founded the first Latino Democratic Club, which still exists today.

Julian enjoyed playing golf and experimenting with cooking. His salsa recipe is a favorite to all.

In his retirement, Julian was passionate about landscaping his own home. He designed a

magnificent backyard three levels high full of fruit trees, plants, flowers, and vegetables. Julian

was also an avid woodworker. His most cherished projects are extraordinarily crafted wood

benches he made for all his children. Julian had an entire workshop with nearly any tool imaginable

dedicated to woodworking, coined “Grumpy’s Workshop” by his friends and family. Julian loved

to joke around, read, work on puzzles, and play games with his grandchildren and great

granddaughter.

Julian is survived by his beloved wife Emma Ruiz, 3 children and in-laws, Rebecca Mitz and sonin-

law Edward Mitz, Julian Ruiz Jr. and daughter-in-law Cherie Ruiz, and Melissa Ruiz and

daughter-in-law Kelly Ruiz; 6 grandchildren, Rebecca Nicole Carrejo, Raquel Clark, Jessica Mitz,

David Clark Jr., Jacob Ruiz, and Jacklyn Ruiz; and great granddaughter, Charlotte Bui.