Ruben Batista passed away at home on December 18, 2024 surrounded by family and loved ones. He was born in El Paso, Texas on October 26, 1932 to Antonio and Maria de Jesus Batista and grew up in Fabens, Texas. Ruben was a graduate of Fabens High School where he was an overall athlete, excelling in football, basketball, baseball and track.
Ruben enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17 and served in the Korean War. He was assigned to the USS Curlew, a Lapwing-class minesweeper, with the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.
Ruben worked as a bus driver and operational manager for El Paso City Lines. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to open two local nightclubs, The Silver Poodle and Lynnette’s Lounge which he owned and operated. He later established a Heavy Machinery export business.
Ruben remained athletic throughout his life, playing handball every day and competing in the El Paso Senior Games. He loved baseball, and played competitive baseball with the “Old Timers” baseball team.
Ruben was preceded in death by his wife, Irene and is survived by his four children, Rowena Batista Marcontel (Lee+), Ruben Batista Jr. (Irene), Linda Batista Lawson (Mark) and Christopher Batista (Michelle). He is also survived by ten grandchildren; Lindsay Marcontel, Nicolas Marcontel, Bryant Marcontel, Ruben Robert Batista, John Paul Batista, Eric Batista, Amber Batista, Audrey Batista, Andrew Batista, Anthony Batista, and six great grandchildren; Lucas Covarrubias, Benjamin Covarrubias, Eli Ramos, Zander Batista, Noah Batista and Liam Batista.
The family would like to thank The Hospitals of Providence, El Paso B.E.S.T Physician Group, Amorican Home Health Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Hospice of El Paso for their compassionate care. The family would also like to thank Ruben’s neighbors and care givers for always being at his side providing care and comfort.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday December 30th at 10:00am at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 10000 Pheasant Road, El Paso, Texas 79924. Interment will follow at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish to express sympathy and honor Ruben's legacy make a donation to the Ruben Batista Scholarship Fund administered by the Fabens High School Alumni Association. Checks can be mailed to: Fabens Alumni Association / Attn: Ruben Batista Scholarship / P.O. Box 3053 / Fabens, TX 79838. Donations can also be submitted via: PayPal / Send / FabensAlumni / Attn: Ruben Batista Scholarship.
