Ruben H. Trevino

Dear and most gracious Lord, we thank You for the life of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and greatgrandfather, Ruben Hinojosa Treviño. Ruben passed away peacefully on January 24, 2025, at the age of 88 years, surrounded by his loving family. He lived a life marked by faith, love for his family, heartfelt hugs for his grandchildren, and duty to God and country.

Ruben was born on September 26, 1936 (some say 1937) in Alice, Texas. He was raised by his mother with the support of his aunts and uncles. His favorite place was staying with his grandmother, Ama Anita, who adored him and held a special place in his heart. He liked school and advanced quickly not because of his grades but because he was older than most of the kids in his class. Realizing he needed to earn a living at an early age, he helped his uncle drive soda trucks and make deliveries around town. Spending his days on those routes, he started to believe there was more waiting for him beyond the roads he knew.

At the end of the Korean War, he tried to enlist but was turned away due to his young age. Eventually, Ruben joined the United States Army, serving in duty assignments around the world, including South Korea, Germany, Berlin, Vietnam, and various stateside locations. He honorably retired at the rank of Sergeant First Class after dedicating 27 years of his life to the military.

The military taught Ruben many skills, including language, communication, leadership, survival, and combat. After serving as a Drill Instructor, he felt compelled to join the fight overseas and volunteered for service in Vietnam. As an Infantry soldier, he was assigned to the Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) Team 41, where his role involved advising and instructing local populations in defensive skills to protect their villages. During his combat tour, Ruben had many close calls. He was cited for the Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star for courageously leading his troops through dangerous conditions, engaging the enemy, and preventing an overrun of the local village. He was also cited for calling in and coordinating direct fire missions while aboard an observation aircraft, effectively engaging and destroying enemy forces in his area of operation.

Upon returning to the States, Ruben was assigned to Funeral Escorts, honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Near the end of his military service, he took pride in serving as his unit’s Mess Sergeant, earning numerous awards for the Best Dining Facility of the Quarter.

After retiring, Ruben became a Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) instructor at Brackenridge High School, a position he held for 20 years. During this time, he also earned a college degree in Occupational Science in Education from Southwest Texas University. Over the years, Ruben volunteered in the Catholic Church and his community in many roles. He was a Cub Scout Leader, Boy Scout Master, religious education teacher for 40 years, a member of the St. Rose of Lima Knights of Columbus Council 11599 (Grand Knight), and instrumental in starting the Knight’s Squires Club.

A history buff, Ruben loved traveling the world with his wife, Hope, visiting places he had read about and sharing their adventures with family. He often joked, “Sure, the trip was fun, but the grilled New York Strip and cold beer were pretty amazing too.”

He answered to many names of endearment, such as Ruben, Dad, Felix, Sambien, Wenche, Grandpito, and Grampito. Known for his ability to tell stories (mostly true) and jokes, he could entertain and make you laugh for hours. Ruben was a great father, always offering words of encouragement or advice when needed. He was an amazing grandfather who loved his grandchildren with all his heart, always sneaking them an “emergency fifty” just in case. To them, he will forever be their “Grandpito” or “Grampito.”

Ruben is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Esperanza “Hope” Treviño, who was his constant source of comfort and strength. They were married in Alice, Texas, on April 5, 1961, and began their amazing journey together. He is also survived by his sons, Ruben J. Treviño Jr. and Ronald J. Treviño; his daughter, Zelda (Gerald) Bolgren, and their children, Gerald “JB” III (Rebeka) Bolgren and Geoffrey Bolgren; his son, Robert J. (Raquel) Treviño, and their children, Dr. Robert “Bobby” Treviño (Dr. Janett Ordonez), Christianna “Nanna” Marie Treviño, and Isabella “Bella” Lourdes Treviño; and his son, Richard (Norma) Treviño, and their children, Adrian (Kiana) Gamez-Treviño, Matthew (Alida) Treviño, Emily (Oscar Flores) and her children, Valerie Steen, baby Flores, and Aaron Gamez-Treviño; his loving niece, Zelda Cuevas, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Ruben is preceded in death by his grandmother Anita “Ama Anita” Collins Hinojosa, his mother Senovia Hinojosa-Perez, and his siblings Raul Hinojosa Rocha, Roberto Hinojosa-Flores, Oscar Hinojosa-Barrera, Manuel Hinojosa-Barrera, and Graciela Hinojosa-Barrera. He is also preceded by his grandson Richard J. Treviño Jr. and his beloved dog Mollie (who loved all the extra treats).

Please join us in celebrating the life of Ruben H. Treviño:

• Viewing and Rosary: Sunday, February 2, 2025, at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home (6321 Bandera Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78238). Viewing begins at 6:00 PM, and the Rosary will follow at 7:00 PM.

• Funeral Mass: Monday, February 3, 2025, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church (9883 Marbach Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78245) at 10:00 AM.

• Burial: Procession to San Fernando Cemetery #3 (1735 Cupples Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78226) immediately following Mass.