Ruben Victa Ravelo

Relatives and friends of Ruben Ravelo are invited to attend his Funeral Service at 3:00 PM, Sunday, August 31, 2025, at Carolina Memorial Funeral Home, 7113 Rivers Ave., North Charleston, SC 29406. Burial with military honors will be on October 27, 2025 in Arlington National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM until the time of service on Sunday.

Ruben was born in Kawit, Cavite Province, Philippines, on July 4, 1938. He was the son of Pastor and Martina Victa Ravelo.

At the young age of 20, Ruben enlisted in the United States Navy leaving his home country of the Philippines. Through his strong work ethic and dedication to performing his job well, he rose to the rank of Chief Storekeeper (SKC) during the Vietnam era when making the rank of Chief was very competitive and difficult to attain. He was often cited for being a top leader and received numerous awards throughout his 20 years in the Navy, to include: Navy Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Award (5 awards), Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Battle Efficiency Ribbon, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. His patriotism continued into his second career at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command where he continued to serve for 30 additional years of faithful and valued service to the Department of the Navy and the government of the United States—a career spanning 50 years.

Ruben was also a proud and resolute lifetime member of Freemasonry, in which he attained the level of a 32nd degree Mason. He was also dedicated to the Kawiteños of San Diego where he was an active member and eventually held the role as President and advisor to the organization. His commitment to living a life through hard work, self-improvement, personal development, ethical and moral good standards and community involvement is the true legacy that he leaves behind to those who most enriched his life…his children and his grandchildren. Ruben lived with a “stay strong, keep fighting” spirit throughout his life. Until his last breath on this earth, he never gave up, but unfortunately his body did. He fought the good fight until the bitter end.

Ruben is survived by his beloved “Fraulein,” his wife Julieta. They were married for more than 61 years. Their life together is a true love story that one can only hope for during their lifetime. He is also survived by his son, Ron Ravelo, his wife Rhonda, his daughter Junifer Thomas, her husband Karl, his grandchildren, Rachel & Pat, Alex, Nathan & Angela, Kyle & Emily, and Megan. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Eddie, sister-in-law Violeta, and numerous nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.

Ruben was the last of his eight siblings to have lived a full and incredible life. He is predeceased by his father & mother, Pastor and Martina, his brothers, Romeo, Orlando, Ishmael, Avelardo, Hector and Restituto and his sisters, Norma and Emelita.

Arrangements by CAROLINA MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 7113 Rivers Ave., North Charleston, SC 29406.