Carlos R. Correa-Ruiz Army Csm US Ret.

CSM Carlos R. Correa-Ruiz, US Army Ret. age 59, passed away April 12, 2010, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born in Santurce, a suburb of San Juan, Puerto Rico on February 12, 1951, to Carlos Ramon Correa-Melendez and Nellie Ruiz. He was preceded in death by his father and his sister, Jacqueline Correa. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Judy I. Correa; son, Antonio F. Correa; grandson, Nickolas A. Correa; and mother, Nellie Ruiz.

As a young boy, he enjoyed participating in the Boy Scouts and loved studying history throughout school. His mother, a schoolteacher, inspired Carlos to better himself through education. He finished two years of college in Puerto Rico prior to joining the Army as a Patient Administration Specialist. During his first overseas tour in Germany, he met his wife, Judy Shellhammer, and wed in 1972. Their next overseas tour took them to Italy where they were blessed with their son, Antonio. Carlos finished his Bachelor of Science in 1981 with the University of New York in the studies of Spanish literature and sociology.

Following a short break in service, Carlos re-enlisted as a Medical Specialist and quickly found himself in numerous leadership positions. As a Sergeant First Class, he commanded the Bremerton Army Recruiting Office, Bremerton, Washington and completed a Masters of Arts in Health Services Management with Webster University in 1984. Carlos served as an Operations NCO at the Gorgas Hospital, Panama City during the Panama crisis, Operation Just Cause. The Persian Gulf War found him serving as the Active Component Senior Advisor to the Commanding General of the 807th Medical Brigade in Seagoville, Texas. He also served as the Staff Sergeant Major for the Office of the Assistant Commander for Force Integration at Army Medical Department, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. His final assignment, Command Sergeant Major of the 187th Medical Battalion, Medical Command directly connected him to 'taking care of Soldiers' his favorite aspect of Army life. His influence is still felt today by many Soldiers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Commissioned Officers.

CSM Correa was awarded the Legion of Merit upon his retirement from military service in 1996. His previous awards included four Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals and Army Recruiter Badge with two Gold Achievement Stars. His service ribbons were seven Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal with Service Star, four NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, and three Overseas Ribbons.

Following his retirement, he continued to assist Soldiers in finding solutions to their challenges as a Knowledge Management Consultant with the AMEDD Issues Program. In 2004, he was selected to attend the Sustaining Base Leadership and Management Program conducted by the Army Management Staff College. He was an active member of the American College of Health Executives, a Sustaining Foundation Contributor of the AMEDD Museum Foundation and an officer with the Alamo Chapter of the Association of the United States Army AUSA. In 2005, AUSA selected Carlos as their annual DA Civilian honoree with a Citation for Exceptional Service in Support of National Defense. Carlos will be remembered as a patriot who always had time for Soldiers, friends, and family.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

SERVICE

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2010

8:00 A.M.

PORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL

Chaplain Conrad Walker will officiate. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 8415 Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, TX 78229 or the American Cancer Society, 8115 Datapoint Dr., San Antonio, Texas 78229.