Jose Chavez Jo Ruiz , December 23, 1924 — November 13, 2018

Obituary for Jose Chavez “Joe” Ruiz Jose “Joe” Chavez Ruiz, 93, born December 23, 1924 in Safford, AZ to Jose Juan and Calletana Ruiz. Joe was called by the Lord on November 13, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents; 9 siblings and their spouses Rosa, Sophie, Ana and Mike, Juan and Connie, Ida and Willie, Louisa and Joseph, Ophelia, Salvador and Beatrice, Celia and Chevo and George.

Joe is survived by his wife of 71 years, Rosa Hinojos Ruiz; his 4 children and their spouses, Joe and Joyce, Danny and Yvonne, Gloria and Tom, David and Cathy. Also surviving are his sister Lily; 23 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Joe served proudly in the U.S. Navy, against his father’s wishes, from November 25, 1944 – July 15, 1947.

We were surprised to learn he could not swim. Joe, Rosa and family moved to San Manuel where he was employed for 25 years with Magma Copper. He worked many positions throughout his employ finishing up as Warehouseman.

In 1957 they moved to Tucson with the family; then in 1975 Joe and Rosa moved to Oracle where they owned and operated JR’s Cocktails for over 20 years. After selling the bar they returned Tucson in 1997 where they took to traveling to see the sites and wonders in the United States; eventually traveling to Canada, Mexico and Italy. Our dad’s favorite past-time was visiting family, friends and even strangers.

His sister Lily once said (when dad was going through by-pass surgery in the 80’s) “Joe won’t give up…he’ll make it because he loves life too much! ” He lived it to the end; taking mom for rides because she got tired of staying in the house; visiting his children at their homes; his sister in Saddlebrooke; grocery shopping; going down town to BBB to file a complaint- all up to 2 weeks before the Lord chose to take him. Thanks to all the lovely people with hospice who helped our family; especially through the last days.

Thank you to our family for your kind condolences and responses and to each of our friends who have so kindly reached out to us. We thank God for our dad; he was a good father and a good husband. We will remember him always.

Services to be held December 1, 2018 at Sacred Heart Church, 601 E. Ft. Lowell in Tucson 9:30 am viewing; 10:00 am Mass; interment to follow at Holy Hope Cemetery military section. Please join us for a meal and fellowship back at Sacred Heart Church Hall.

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