Master Sergeant Ruben Armendariz, U.S. Army (retired), at the great age of 96 years, passed away July 29, 2026, with his family at his side. Ruben was born on December 17, 1929, to Ramon and Julia Armendariz, one of 7 children and the oldest son. He attended the original Bowie High School and was a proud Bear, class of 1947.
Ruben enlisted in the military at the young age of 17 and proudly served for over 20 years. His service took him to many duty locations like Hawaii, Bolivia, the Marshall and Solomon Islands, Germany, and many Army bases all over the United States, including a stint as an ROTC instructor at a small college in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. His was a member of the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and the Bronze Star. His final tour of duty was as an Intelligence Sergeant, U.S. Army Training, Air Defense at Ft. Bliss in 1967.
His military service provided him with a deep sense of duty which helped form the core of his adult education that he carried proudly with him for the rest of his life - a testament to his character in every endeavor and career he embarked upon. It was a life where his adventures and experiences were not often spoken of but instead displayed in how he lived out his life.
Upon his retirement from the Army, Ruben worked at Providence Memorial Hospital for 18 years as the chief of the Bio Med department. He took an early retirement to begin his third new chapter, joining the U.S. Customs Service at the age of 59, where he eventually obtained the rank of Senior Inspector.
He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 52 years, Helen Alice; sons Michael (Mary), Paul (Danielle), and his daughter Laura Becerra (Guillermo). He is also survived by his grandsons Eric, Casey, and Michael Jr., granddaughter Jadyn, and great-granddaughter Nevaeh; his brothers Kiki (Soledad) and Bobby (Dora). He is also survived by his cousins Raul Armendariz, Delfina Fernandez, Luis Fernandez, and Suzie Castanuela ; his sister-in-law Christine Guzman, his brother-in-law Louis Carreon; nieces Norma deBruhl, Rachel Castaneda, Yvonne Moore, Valerie Garcia, Monique Carreon, plus many other nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Ramon and Julia, his daughter Carmen Armendariz, his brother Ramon, sisters Carolina Aguilar, Genoveva Estrada, Maria Elena Rodriguez, mother-in-law Elena Carreon, brother-in-law EPPD Officer Wayne Carreon, sister and brother-in-law Ann and Steve Rogers.
Celebration of life and Rosary will be held at Martin Funeral Home West - 128 N. Resler Dr., El Paso, TX 79912 on September 1, 2026 from 5-8 pm, with the Rosary to begin at 6.00 pm.
Interment service will be held at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave., El Paso, TX 79906 on September 2, 2006 at 1.00 pm.
