Saint Augustin Longoria Ruelas, 60, of Phoenix, Arizona went to be with his mother and father in Heaven on May 6, 2019. St. Augustin (known to his family and friends as “Gus”) was born in Phoenix, Arizona on March 29, 1959 to Augustin and Angelita (Longoria) Ruelas. Gus grew up in the Beaumont area of Texas, one of 9 brothers and sisters, where he attended elementary and junior high school. By the time he was in high school they were living in Phoenix. He graduated from North High in Phoenix in the summer of 1977. While in high school St. Augustin met the Love of his Life (his high school sweetheart) Rita and they married in February 9, 1978. Gus and Rita had 2 children when he decided that he needed to join the Army and serve our country. When he separated from the military, Gus, decided to go to tech school. He graduated and continued on to complete his BS degree as well. Gus found that his true passion was gardening and preaching “God’s Word”, which is phrase you could often hear him say. He and Rita grew their family to 5 children. His wife was his love and she remembers that he took her to her first cartoon movie “Robin Hood”. In addition to his life’s work, Gus loved his “own” garden. He planted all colors of roses and plants that he enjoyed with his family. He had a collection of M&M banks, along with snow globes and bells from all over. Gus’s children describe him as having a cowboy style with his flannel shirts, jeans, cowboy boots and his 2 cowboy hats that became “him”.. He also loved riding his motorcycle with Rita and taking trips together. He was a “Dallas Cowboy’s’ Fan!!, but he did learn to root for the Cardinal’s. Gus had many sayings such as: “God’s Word”, “A million Dollar Idea” (which he always had, and “Ruelas 2020” as he said that he was going to run for president.
Gus will be remembered for his dedication to his family, God, and for his sense of humor.
Gus leaves behind the Love of his life Rita and their children Augustin (Anabel) Ruelas, Tony (Maggie) Ruelas, Richard (Desiree) Ruelas, Jonathan (Marie) Ruelas and Dominique (Edgar) Gonzalez; and his oldest child Leticia Perez; grandchildren Bernice, Victoria, Cimone, Alonso, Luis, Angela, Gabriel, Sabastian, Matthew, Tiffany, Adrian, Lucy, Sofia and Jonathan Jr, Destiny, Kristofer, Rojelio, Yezeth, Antonio, Juan, Mireya, Neyel; and 1 great grandchild Bella Rose; brothers and sisters Angie, Janie, Linda, Nina, Susie, Blanca and Ronnie.
Gus is preceded by his parents Augustin and Angelita and his brother Manuel.
Visitation Service to be held on Friday May 17, 2019 at 10:30 am at Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary in the Garden Chapel (Parking in the rear) 7924 N. 59th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85301 followed by a Funeral Service by Pastor Jose Galindo; then in procession to the Longhaven Estates Community Center located at 5201 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85031.
