Obituary for Ruben Villarreal Our Lord Jesus Christ has called another warrior to His side as He came down to relieve Ruben Villarreal, 62, of his earthly duties on July 10, 2018 at Valley Baptist Medical Center. Ruben reported for his earthly duties on October 30, 1955 as a surprise gift to Jose Angel Villarreal and Consuelo Chapa of Harlingen, Texas. Consuelo had just given birth to a beautiful baby girl when the midwifes informed her that there was another baby still in her womb.
Unexpected, Ruben made his way into the world ten minutes later, and into his family’s hearts as the official youngest member of the Villarreal family. As the baby of the family, Ruben had to demonstrate his determination, grit, and scrappiness to make his way in the world. His attitude shaped him to be the perfect candidate for military service.
He promptly enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1974, where he would get his first chance to discover his life’s purpose. He earned the opportunity to be a Law Enforcement Specialist for the 301st Security Police Squadron at Carswell Air Force Base, Texas. With a new skillset in law enforcement and a passion for protecting people, Ruben went on to serve with the South Padre Island Police Department (SPIPD) after his honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1978.
During his time with SPIPD, Ruben received many accolades and earned the rank of Detective Sergeant. His capability was soon recognized at the federal level when he was hired to be an Immigration and Naturalization Service Federal Agent at the Port Isabel Detention Processing Center. He would go on to serve with INS, now Immigration and Customs Enforcement, for over twenty-five years, until his retirement in 2011.
Throughout his retirement, Ruben spent his time traveling, visiting family members, and in the good company of his beloved wife of 23 years. He enjoyed the simple things in life, such as a good military history documentary or an ice cold Natty Light. Even when faced with the difficult news of an aggressive cancer in his body, he never wavered and once again showed us his fighting spirit.
He continued to live his life the way he wanted to live it, not letting cancer rob him of his joy or his sense of humor. He fought long and hard for five years, and in the end, it was his body that yielded, but not his spirit. Ruben is preceded in death by his parents, his son Daniel Angel Villarreal, his brothers; Noe Villarreal, and Oscar Villarreal, and his sisters; Maria Antonia Villarreal, and Nora Briones.
He is survived by his beloved wife Hilda S. Villarreal, his sons; Ruben Lee (Yolanda) Villarreal, Oscar Noe (Corina) Villarreal, stepsons; Arnoldo Sanchez Jr., Samuel Sanchez, daughters; Veronica Villarreal, Valerie Villarreal, Kimberly J. Villarreal, Brandey A. Villarreal, Jessica Renee Villarreal, his twin sister Ruby (Polo) Navarrette, sisters: Librada (Jesus) Rodriguez, Mary (Dennis) Hall, Janie (Andrew) Rodriguez, Rita (Carti) Yzquierdo, Elizabeth Poarch, brothers; Joe A. (Dora) Villarreal, Frank C. (Janie) Villarreal, and six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Serving as Pall Bearers will be Ruben Lee Villarreal, Oscar Noe Villarreal, Arnoldo Sanchez Jr., Samuel Sanchez, A.J. Cisneros, and Dominic Ramos. Honorary pall bearers include; Joe.
A Villarreal, Frank C. Villarreal. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ruben Villarreal please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation 2018 JUL 12.
12:00 PM – 09:00 PM Rudy Garza Funeral Home – Harlingen 1702 E. Harrison Avenue Harlingen, TX, US, 78550 rgfhtx@aol.com www. rudygarzafunerals.com Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Ruben’s Visitation begins. Rosary 2018 JUL 12.
07:00 PM Rudy Garza Funeral Home – Harlingen 1702 E. Harrison Avenue Harlingen, TX, US, 78550 rgfhtx@aol.com www. rudygarzafunerals.com Order Flowers for the Rosary Guaranteed delivery before Ruben’s Rosary begins. Funeral 2018 JUL 13.
02:00 PM Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church 412 S C St. Harlingen, TX, US, 78550 Order Flowers for the Funeral Guaranteed delivery before Ruben’s Funeral begins.
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