Ruben Rey Jr.

Ruben was born on April 21, 1964, in San Elizario (El Paso County), Texas, to Cecilia Rey and was raised by his loving grandparents, Maria and Luis Nuñez. He graduated from San Elizario High School, where he excelled in academics and sports, playing basketball, baseball, football, and track. He furthered his education at the University of the Incarnate Word, earning his Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Ruben’s first job out of high school was Dairy Queen where his love for ice cream began and made the best banana splits and sundaes. Later, he joined Hybritech where he met his wife, Leticia Rey. Following this, Ruben dedicated 26 years of his life to serving in the U.S. Air Force, where he achieved the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. During his military career, he was stationed at Hickam Air Force Base (Hawaii), Brooks/Kelly/Lackland Air Force Base (San Antonio), Fort Meade (Maryland), Vandenberg Air Force Base (California), and several assignments abroad. Following his military service, he worked at USAA in San Antonio, Texas.

An active member of his church communities, Ruben was involved with Our Lady of the Atonement, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church (Helotes), and St. Brigid Catholic Church (San Antonio). He was fondly known as the Sunday morning church breakfast "Taco Guy," served as a moderator in the Men of St. Brigid Studies, a member of the Knights of Columbus, as well as participating in the Prison Ministry.

Ruben is survived by his devoted wife, Leticia Rey; his twins, Joshua Rey, his wife Yvette Rey, and Leilani Rey; her husband Ray Lopez; his brothers, Oscar Rey and George Nuñez; his sister, Sofia Rey; his mother, Cecilia Rey; and his aunt, Mary Lou Nuñez. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Maria and Luis Nuñez, and his aunt, Beatriz Nuñez.

Viewing, recitation of the Holy Rosary, and funeral mass will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2025, 10:30 a.m., at Our Lady of the Atonement (15415 Red Robin Rd, San Antonio, TX 78255). Committal service and burial, with military honors, will take place at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery (1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209).

A memorial service will also be held in Ruben’s hometown of San Elizario, Texas at the historic San Elceario Presidio Chapel (1556 San Elizario Rd, San Elizario, TX 79849), on Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Our Lady of the Atonement, Our Lady of Guadalupe (Helotes), St. Brigid’s (San Antonio), or Gray for Glioblastoma to support brain cancer research (https://grayforglioblastoma.com/donate).

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Mays Cancer Center, VA San Antonio, and New Century Hospice for their exceptional care. Deep gratitude to Love Print Memories for taking family photos last summer. A special appreciation to Luke's Wings for assisting his daughter, Leilani Rey, and her husband, Ray Lopez, with travel arrangements from Stuttgart, Germany to be with Ruben and their family.

"Keep praying for me." - Ruben Rey