Ruben Dimalanta Caballa

Ruben Dimalanta Caballa passed away on April 5, 2026 in San Diego, California, surrounded by the love of his family. Ruben was the devoted husband of Corazon Caballa for 57 years and proud father to Winston, Jennifer, and Robin.

He was born on May 29, 1945 in Bacolor, Pampanga in the Philippines. He was one of six siblings and had seven half-siblings. Ruben joined the United States Navy in 1967 and proudly served his country for six years. Ruben met the love of his life, Cora, while assigned to Naval Air Station Glenview in Illinois. They got married in 1969. He was stationed at Naval Base San Diego and assigned to the USS Monticello, serving in the Vietnam War for four years.

Ruben and Cora settled in San Diego and raised their family in Lakeside. Ruben was happiest when he was spending time with his family. He was affectionately called “Yoyo” - a variation of Lolo - by his grandchildren, Jesse (JJ), Evan, Louis (L.A.), Jasmine, Caissa, and great-grandson, Jesse. Ruben loved his family and always made sure that his family was well taken care of. His love and care extended to the family dogs, who also loved him so much.

Ruben worked at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado doing quality assurance for military fighter jets and retired in 2001. After retirement, Ruben and Cora traveled around the world. He enthusiastically referred to his second home in the Philippines as “Caballa’s Nest.”

His greatest passion and many of his deepest friendships revolved around golf. He built tight-knit friendships as a board member of International Alliance Golf Club (IAGC). He always looked forward to the annual IAGC golf tours around the Philippines and in Las Vegas with all the members and their wives, the Angels.

Ruben had a generous heart with a big personality. He was happy, friendly, and loved to shoot the breeze. He was funny with his quick-witted humor and was almost always surrounded by laughter. He was an outstanding cook, loved browsing the swap meet and estate sales for unique finds, and took great pride in his gardening abilities. He grew a phenomenal variety of fruit trees and vegetables in Lakeside and in Point Loma, where he helped take care of his mestiza granddaughter.

Ruben was loved by so many. He will be deeply missed but forever remembered as a good man who was one of a kind with his fun personality.

We invite all who knew and loved Ruben to join us in honoring his memory.

Visitation

Monday, April 27, 2026, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Chapel of the Roses, Glen Abbey Memorial Park

5:30 pm - 6:00 pm: Catholic Vigil

6:00 pm - 6:30 pm: Prayer of the Rosary

6:30 pm - 7:00 pm: Eulogies from Family and Friends

7:00pm - 9:00 pm: Visitation

Funeral Service

Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

St. Michael Catholic Church

Committal Service

Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 2:00 pm - 2:45 pm

Glen Abbey Memorial Park