Ruben J. Zaragoza, 65, of Leawood, KS, was born September 18, 1954, to David and Rose (Martinez) Zaragoza. He began his journey on to eternal life, surrounded by his family when he passed away on October 2, 2019.
Ruben married Mary (Bernal) in March 1973. Together they always made family their main focus and were dedicated to living a Christian life. Ruben was very involved in Guardian Angels Church and was a member of the Finance and Development Committee, annual Festival Committee, and a weekly usher at Sunday Mass.
Ruben grew up in Kansas City’s West Side neighborhood. He served in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1974. He earned a Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and Accounting from Rockhurst University in 1982.
Ruben began his successful career while working for United Telecom and Sprint in various positions. After completing nearly 25-years in the fortune 500 sector where his area of expertise was taking new business opportunities from the drawing board to life, Ruben made the challenging decision to pursue self-employment. He was the Founder and President of Zaragoza & Associates, LLC, a professional business consulting organization. His work and love for travel took him to many places within the US and internationally.
Ruben served on many board of directors and volunteer roles, including the Mattie Rhodes Counseling and Art Center in Kansas City, MO, Bethel Neighborhood Center in Kansas City, KS, and the United Way. He also served as an Advocate/Dyad at Patient and Clinician Engagement; a Patient Ambassador with the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute; and as an Advisory Committee member on several research grants devoted to improving the health and well-being of refugees and immigrants residing in the urban core communities across Kansas City.
Ruben received many accolades in all his business endeavors. He was frequently called upon to serve as an intermediary between the Latino community and healthcare research programs in Kansas City. Most recently, one of Ruben’s visions that came to fruition was the establishment of the Paleterias Tropicana at the Med, a restaurant and catering business located at the KU Med campus.
One of Ruben’s favorite pastimes was watching the Kansas City Chiefs and the University of Kansas Jayhawks. RCJH! Ruben thoroughly enjoyed his participation at the annual Tejano Music National Convention in Las Vegas.
Family was most important to Ruben. His pride and joy were his six grandchildren, who he affectionately had nicknames for. He took every opportunity to show his love by attending almost every activity they were involved in. His greatest pleasure was their walks to the park, something they did together every time they visited. The grandkids will miss their Poppy.
Ruben is survived by his wife, Mary, and children David (Alicia), Alex, Martin (Tracy), and Sarah (Robert), grandchildren Mia, Andrew, Anthony, Adriana, Lydia and Lucas, sisters Cecilia, Stella, and Stephanie, uncles Henry and Alfred, aunt Mary, and many beloved family members, especially nieces, nephews, and Godchildren. Ruben was proceeded in death by his parents, David and Rose.
Funeral arrangements will be handled by McGilley State Line Chapel. Visitation will be at Guardian Angels Church, 1310 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO 64111, on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 8:30am with the Rosary prayed at 9:15am. Funeral mass will begin at 10:00am followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery, 6901 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64131. Reception luncheon will follow the burial and will be held at Guardian Angels Church Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Guardian Angels Church, Kansas City Hospice – Kansas Office, or the American Cancer Society.
