Jesse Manuel Ruiz Sr.

Jesse Manuel Ruiz Sr., 75, went to be with his Heavenly Father on August 12th, 2016. He was born on February 2, 1941to Refugio and Maria Ruiz in Monterrey Mexico. Jesse was the oldest of four sons born to the couple. Frank, Joe, and Richard would come to look at Jesse not only as an older brother, but as a father as well. In 1945, he would move to the United States. Popo, as he would affectionately be called later in life by his grandchildren, left school in the eighth grade. Unfortunately, times were hard and he needed to help provide for his family. In 1960 he would meet the love of his life, Janie Plascencia. They were introduced by his mother and by 1961 they would be married, and in 1962 they would welcome their first child and only son, Jesse Jr. two daughters, Paula and Veronica would follow in 1964 and 1969. Jesse worked hard, and started a business using a trade he had learned. He purchased a mobile unit, something along the lines of a taco truck, and he outfitted it with everything that you might need in an auto upholstery shop. He drove around to the new and used car dealerships in the city and offered his services, and Jesse Ruiz’s Trim Chop(sic) was born. Avid gamblers, Jesse and Janie would host underground poker games that might last through the weekend. His love of poker is something that would trickle down into the younger generations of his family, with a multigenerational game taking place almost every Saturday for the last fifteen years. In 1985, Jesse and Janie would welcome a surprise in the form of a third daughter, Jessika Jane. Popo loved to work in the yard, and anyone who knows him would also know his sense of humor was never-ending. He could make you laugh within the first few minutes of meeting him. He whistled, a lot; while he worked and while he cooked. It’s a trait that many in his family would end up inheriting. He was an exceptionally smart man who took pleasure in listening to talk radio and the news. Jesse loved classic movies and westerns. Popo also loved music. From Sinatra to Dolly Parton to surprisingly enough Nelly, Popo could sing you a tune at the drop of a hat. His grandchildren were always ready for a story and if we were lucky a meal cut up into bite size pieces with toothpicks as silverware. Popo was the Patriarch of the Ruiz family, he was able to see his children grow, as well as see many grandkids and great grandkids be born. Our family flourished because of his hard work. We were lucky to have him.