Ruben Arce

EDINBURG, TX - Ruben Arce, 68, beloved father, son, brother, uncle, and friend, peacefully returned to his loving Heavenly Father on Monday, the 5 th of February 2024, in Edinburg, Texas. His zeal and love of life was always within him. Then, he became ill and decided against further medical interventions. He had enough. He faced his illness bravely head on and passed away peacefully, at the ranch, as he wished. “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7.

Ruben was born on 20 th of July 1955 in Chicago, Cook County Hospital, Illinois to Tomas Arce and Angelica Cortez Arce. His parents raised six sons (Rogelio, Thomas, Ruben, Rene, Roberto, and Ricardo). Two years before the birth of his youngest brother Ricardo, his mother Angelica gathered her five boys and left Chicago in the spring of 1965 bound to Edinburg, Texas on a Greyhound Bus. Tomas Arce continued to work towards his retirement with United States Steel Corporation (USS). Angelica thought that Chicago proved to be too much for her boys. She wanted a simpler life, for her boys, near her family. Since then, Ruben has been a lifelong resident of Edinburg, Texas with several years in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his mother Angelica Cortez Arce (4 th February 2022); his father Tomas Arce (1999); his brother Rene Arce (2015); his half-sister Maria Del Rosario Arce and her baby girl (2007); his grandparents Gregorio Cortez Tristan (1982) and Julia De Leon Cortez (1992). Ruben passed away exactly two years and one day from his mother Angelica’s passing.

Left behind to eternally treasure his memories are his beloved daughter Michaela Danielle Arce; brothers Rogelio (Dominga), Thomas (Susana), Roberto (Claudia) and Ricardo (Dalia) Arce; half-siblings Tomas Alberto (Crystal), Raul (Kaitlyn), Maria Del Rosario (Mario), and Rachel Robinson (Michael) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ruben was passionate about life. He loved to work and to be independent. He enjoyed working and teaching young children at El Tule Headstart Program, in Edinburg. He also extended his compassion to elderly care at the Veteran’s Affairs Clinic in Iowa, where he was employed as a certified nurse assistant. He had a genuine talent for working with special needs children. For 10 years, he shared this gift with Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District, at Robert Vela High School. His baritone voice carried very well, demanding attention. Mr. Mata, Assistant Principal, referred to Ruben as “The Enforcer.” He always knew how to brighten someone's day by making them laugh and feel appreciated. Ruben was great at meeting people. He played football for the Edinburg High School Bobcats. He remained an avid football fan, especially for the Chicago Bears. He liked watching westerns and gangster movies. His favorite hobbies included collecting sport caps and listening to 60’s & 70’s music while enjoying the evening sunsets. He was loved and appreciated by many.

“Ruben, you are such a character that words cannot give you justice. You are the epitome of courage, strength, willfulness, dependability, honesty and self-reliance. You helped many without hesitation or expectations. You are kind, loving and funny to all who knew you. Ruben, there are no goodbyes for us. Where you are, you will always be in our hearts.”

We will gather together on Saturday, 17 th of February 2024, at 3 pm, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 401 S. Jackson Rd., Edinburg, Texas 78539. After the memorial service, there will be a reception to remember our wonderful brother who will be greatly missed. Please bring your fondest memories of Ruben Arce to share with the family and friends during the reception.

“Families can be together forever, through Heavenly Father’s plan”. We thank The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for their continued support and love during our brightest and darkest days. We thank Dr. Adolfo E. Kaplan, MD, Pulmonologist, especially his Mission office staff for their wonderful, medical care, and respectful way they treated Ruben. From the depths of our broken heart, we thank you for helping and guiding us to honor Ruben’s wishes. We are grateful for the attention and personal care that Hector J. Garcia RN, Salvador Guerrero RN, and the dedicated CNA’s with IPH Hospice Care, Inc.

They went beyond the standard level of care and dutifully attended to Ruben in his moments of discomfort and great pain.

Please share your memories of Ruben at www.legacy.com

Funeral services are under the direction of Legacy Chapels in Edinburg.