Daniel Ruiz

Daniel Ruiz passed away peacefully at his home in San Diego on the morning of August 15, 2022, at the age of 94. He was cared for by his wife and family with the support of the wonderful people at the Veterans Association (VA) and Sharp Hospice.

Daniel was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, who will be remembered by all for his devotion to his family and for his sense of humor.

As the patriarch of the family, he was faithful to God and protective and concerned for his loved ones. He never hesitated to pray for you during troubled times.

He was born in Watts, Los Angeles County on July 21, 1928. Daniel “Danny” was the son of Tereso Luna Ruiz and Petra Rubalcava de Ruiz. His parents were from Juchipila, Zacatecas, Mexico and crossed into Laredo, Texas with their parents to avoid the Mexican Revolution. They settled in Los Angeles County. Daniel grew up with his brothers, sister and many cousins.

He graduated from Santa Paula High School in 1947. As noted in his yearbook by his classmates, he was a fast runner on the track team, helped others with Algebra studies, and his dream of being a pilot was known by all. Being a soft-spoken man, his yearbook also read: He wills his loudness to anyone who has heard him.

He joined the US Air Force with his brother, Jess Ruiz. Daniel served four years, 1948 to 1952. He received the Occupational Medal/Germany, Good Conduct Medal and Humane Action Medal/Berlin Airlift. He was a skilled aviation mechanic and Korean War veteran.

After his parents moved to Ensenada, Mexico, he met his future wife during one of his visits. His father had his eye on two beautiful young ladies that lived around the corner that came from a good family. He encouraged his son to ask Ildelisa (Velasco) out on a date. Daniel went into her parent’s local store where she worked and got the courage to ask her out. They started dating long distance and would go to dances when he was in town. Ildelisa says he would show up in his military uniform to try to impress her. His dad was so overjoyed that his son would be asking for her hand in marriage that he insisted on accompanying him. They were married in January 1956 and moved to Liberty Farms, Northern California, then to Dixon in 1958 where they started their family.

He worked on a farm as a tractor tiller for the Nishikawa Brothers. As a young married couple, they would visit friends and watch the I Love Lucy show. They went to dances held in town and to the park to watch his brother, Conrad, play baseball.

Visiting his parents was important. Every Christmas and summer he would take the family to Ensenada to see his parents, family and friends. All his siblings would gather during the holidays for music, tamales and a game of poker. His mom always had a hot batch of flour tortillas.

In 1966 he moved to Chula Vista, California, after promising his wife to settle closer to both their parents who lived in Ensenada. He purchased his home in San Diego in 1972 for $20,950.

Daniel was married to Ildelisa (Velasco) for 66 years. He was a good provider to his 2 sons and 4 daughters, and never missed a day of work.

He raised his children to have faith in God, to have a strong work ethic, to be there for one another, to offer a drink and food to visitors and to keep cars well-maintained. He made sure the tires were in good shape and did not like an unwashed car.

He was a faithful member of St John of the Cross, Lemon Grove, since the early seventies. He also instilled in his children the importance of religion and staying close to God. He believed in miracles through prayer, saying that if you set your mind to it there was not anything you could not accomplish, or heal. He prayed the rosary daily in his room or in the back yard while enjoying the sun, and it is with joy that he shared his departure from this earth on the day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

He was a Dump Truck Owner Operator for 25 years and was proud to show you the places he dropped gravel for the stadium, San Diego freeways, ballpark and Coronado Bridge. His children and grandchildren remember summers riding in the semi-truck and always finding him at his favorite spot at the kitchen table doing his bookkeeping. He taught his children how to drive at the Santee shop where he kept “Ol’ Betsy”, his nickname for his truck. They learned to drive in his 1964 Mustang, always adding it is a 1964 ½.

Daniel was famous for his early morning birthday calls making it a point to be the first one to wish you a happy birthday. He also had his own list which he would check off as his children and grandchildren called him to wish him a Happy Birthday.

His children called him “Patton” for the military style in which he ran his household, his strict ways, clean rooms, no loud noises and spotless yard. He even swept the public streets in front of his house to keep them clean. He took pride in his home, and the neighborhood children knew not to run or play ball near his beautifully groomed yard. Although he was strict, he had a soft heart whose bark was worse than his bite.

He enjoyed old classic movies, walking, football, storytelling and “good” hot coffee. He loved barbecues with the family while watching the San Diego Chargers. In his younger days he enjoyed shooting pool and listening to music for hours in his Mustang.

His family will forever cherish their last moments with him. His love, funny personality, his expressions of appreciation, his “good morning”, “thank you” and “gooood night”, will be greatly missed.

Daniel is survived by his wife, Ildelisa; his children, Christina (James) Lopez, Richard (Margarita) Ruiz, Elsa Rodriguez, Olivia Ameredes, Alicia (Jeff) Provence and Albert Ruiz. He leaves behind 13 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and his brother, Jose Moises Ruiz.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Tereso and Petra Ruiz; brothers, Conrad Ruiz, Frank Ruiz, and Jess Ruiz; his sister, Gloria Monroy; and daughter-in law, Maria Ruiz.

The family would like to express gratitude to the Veterans Association and Sharp Hospice for their services in caring for Daniel Ruiz.

The Vigil will be held Tuesday, September 6, from 5:00 – 8:30 p.m., at Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3838 Bonita Rd, Bonita, CA 91902.

The Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, September 7, at 10:00 a.m., at St John of the Cross Catholic Parish, 8086 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945.