Junior Ruiz lived a life well lived in the city he loved surrounded by people he loved. A star athlete, he graduated from El Paso High School in 1957. He earned a football scholarship to Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico, where he met and married Tresa, his precious wife of almost 59 years. He received his Master’s degree from Texas Western College and served as a coach and educator in the EPISD for 42 years. Even in retirement, Junior continued his commitment to improving educational outcomes for El Paso youth through his work with Student Alternatives Program, Inc., serving on the State Charter Board School Board of Directors and working closely with Paso Del Norte Academies in El Paso.
He is joined in heaven with his parents, Guillermo and Carolina and brother Muggins. He is survived by his devoted wife Tresa, daughters Vanessa Boling (Bart) and Gina Carameros (Chris), grandchildren Tyson Carameros (Sophie) and Mia Carameros, brother Carlos Ruiz, sisters, Martha Berry, Irma Ludwig, Patsy Medlin (Paul) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers and sisters in-law and lifelong friends.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 6 at Martin Funeral Home West 128 N. Resler from 5-7:00 p.m. The Rosary will be on Monday, January 7 at St. Patrick Cathedral 1118 N. Mesa at 10:00 a.m. followed by the Catholic Funeral Mass. At 6:00 p.m. we will continue our celebration of Junior’s life with a Memorial Tribute at the El Paso High School Auditorium, 800 E. Schuster Ave. You are invited to wear orange in celebration of our beloved EPHS Tiger. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to UTEP for the Armando “Muggins” Ruiz Endowed Scholarship. Mail checks to UTEP Office of Institutional Advancement Kelly Hall, 6th Floor 500 W. University Ave. El Paso TX 79968 or donate online at https://givingto.utep.edu/mugginsmemorialgift
