Onecimo Ruiz

Onecimo, or Papo, as he was affectionately called by his grandchildren, was an incredibly talented person. His ingenuity and resourcefulness allowed him to tackle any

challenge he might face.

Onecimo and his wife, Lilia, were a part of a generation of immigrants from Mexico

which arrived in the late 1950’s. They came with strong work ethics, deeply rooted religious beliefs, and a dedication to raising a family in their new-found country with a hope of achieving the American Dream. By taking this leap of faith, he and Lilia forever changed their future and the history of their family. His children and grandchildren are forever grateful for this decision.

Onecimo’s story of coming to the United States (U.S.) was one of his favorites to share. After serving two years of voluntary military service in Mexico, he immediately immigrated to the U.S. Once he was settled, he returned to his home town and asked his childhood friend, Lilia Carmona Davis, to become his wife. They chose to begin their life journey in Houston, Texas, where they raised five children. One day, Onecimo suddenly received a directive from God to “estudia mechanica”. As he turned a page in

a magazine he was reviewing while holding his first born, Onecimo Ruiz Jr., in his arms, he saw an advertisement for a self-taught automotive mechanic course and immediately ordered it. A few months later, Onecimo and Lilia started an auto-repair business that they successfully ran for over 30 years. As devout Catholics with a strong love and dedication to family, they were able to succeed and provide through good times and bad. It was Onecimo’s philosophy that if you worked hard and believed in God's plan, anything was possible.

God’s plan was always at hand in Onecimo’s life. Here are a few God given miracles Onecimo received. He survived leukemia at the age of six, which he attributes to the rattlesnake meat he ate for six months. He survived a massive heart attack in 1994, during which his heart stopped for a full 20 minutes. He was eventually revived in the hospital ICU waiting room by Randy, a paramedic who was there awaiting word on his own father. On another occasion, Onecimo, his son, and a friend survived a 40-foot wave heading towards their boat in the Gulf of Mexico. Seeing the danger coming, Onecimo immediately decided to drive the boat at full speed directly towards the wave, a move that was pure gut instinct. The boat went up and hung on the top of the wave, with its passengers face-to-face with the sky above, until there was no water under the propeller. Miraculously, the boat went forward past the wave and crashed into the water, carrying them back to safety.

Onecimo was an amazing chef and he loved to cook Mexican food for his family. His specialties ranged from something as simple as papas con huevo to fresh salsa verde, carne guisada, warm batches of menudo or posole, and homemade tamales. His food always filled his family’s bodies and fed their souls. He was always more than happy to whip something up when you were hungry. He was not only a great chef but a great teacher too and took the time to show anyone who asked how to make any of his signature dishes.

When he wasn't cooking, he enjoyed passing the time tending to his garden. He had the greenest thumb of anyone around, and could nurture anything to grow in the hot Texas sun. He could grow trees from twigs and whole bushes from a single seed. He always took the utmost care of each new plant, coaxing it along as it grew. He also made sure to share the literal fruits of his labor (avocados, tomatoes, oranges, grapefruit, figs, etc.) with his friends and family, offering up whatever he was able to harvest.

Onecimo had a special connection to nature. He loved to go fishing in Galveston, especially when accompanied by his children and grandchildren, and never failed to make a catch. He always loved Galveston’s gulf waters, as they gave him amazing energy and a wonderful sense of peace.

He had an enduring spirit of giving that touched many throughout his life. Whenever he came home from a fishing trip with a large catch, he would share it with his neighbors and customers. He always gifted his children and grandchildren with fresh produce and home cooked food when they visited. He especially sought to help those in need. Whether it was helping a local parish bazaar with his famous homemade fresh salsas, a stranded person on a highway or providing a meal to a stranger on a street, he never gave a second thought to being of assistance to others.

Onecimo was highly regarded throughout the community, respected and admired by all for his thoughtfulness, his courteousness, and his sharp sense of humor. His quick wit and clever jokes always lit up the room, with a joyful twinkle in his eye as he waited for the punch line to sink in. He was a regular at several restaurants where the staff knew him well and always greeted him by name with a warm smile and a cup of coffee (and a cup of ice, and a basket of single-serving creamers… just the way he liked it).

His grandchildren will remember Papo most for his enthusiastic love for each of them. Papo shared this love in the intimate moments of everyday life, handing out pieces of apple during ‘apple time’ in his living room when they were little, then over cups of coffee and pancakes as young adults. Every Christmas, a handwritten card could be found hanging on his tree addressed to each of his grandchildren with many prayers and well wishes for the New Year. He always encouraged them to prioritize their studies and their careers, reassuring them that hard work was 'parte de la vida', a part of life, and would be worth it in the long run.

As we reflect on Onecimo’s life; his belief in God and the American Dream that he wholeheartedly accomplished, he will continue to inspire his family for generations to come.

Onecimo was preceded in death by Lilia Davis de Ruiz (Wife), Onecimo Ruiz, Jr. (Son), Isidra "Lyle" Ruiz Bernal (Sister), Rosa Ruiz Bernal (Sister), Manuel Ruiz (Brother), Reynaldo Ruiz (Father) and Maria del Carmen Bernal (Mother). He is survived by Robert Joe Ruiz and his wife Iliana (Son), Manuel Ruiz and his wife Kathy (Son), Maria Helena Ruiz-Lopez and her husband Robert (Daughter), Estela Ruiz (Daughter), Jessica Lynn Ruiz (Granddaughter), Robert Joe Ruiz Jr. (Grandson), Liliana Cavazos and her husband Juan (Granddaughter), Alyssa Nicole Ruiz (Granddaughter), Austin Davis Ruiz (Grandson), Maria del Carmen Ruiz Bernal (Sister), Vicente Ruiz and his wife Margarita (Brother), Maria de los Angeles Ruiz Bernal (Sister), Numerous Nieces and Nephews.

A rosary for Onecimo will be held Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at 10:30 AM at the Holy Name Catholic Church, 1920 Marion St., Houston, Texas 77009. Funeral mass will follow at 11:00 AM. Onecimo will be laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery Mausoleum, 3501 North Main St. Houston, Texas 77009.