Jose "Joe" Ruiz

It is with profound sorrow and enduring love that the family of Jose “Joe” Ruiz of Parker, Colorado announce his passing on November 8, 2025, at the age of 76. He was born on August 24, 1949, to Jesus and Guadalupe Ruiz in Taft, Texas. Joe grew up in Taft along with four brothers and three sisters. He attended Taft High School where he met the love of his life, Manuela “Wendy” Garcia in 1967, and then graduated in 1968. After graduation, he attended Bee County College in Beeville, Texas where he earned his Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in Engineering. 

Joe and Wendy were married on September 11, 1969, and they welcomed their first child in the summer of 1970. Shortly thereafter, they moved around the Houston area, welcoming two more children, rounding out the family of five. In 1981, Joe and Wendy moved their family to Colorado, beginning a new chapter of their life. He had a successful career in the oil and gas industry as a piping designer. He retired at 75 from Samuel Engineering in January 2025. When Joe was not working, he enjoyed running, weightlifting, hiking, hunting, fishing, ATV riding, woodworking, and traveling. Joe was also known as a grillmaster, a lover of the outdoors and professional sports. He loved volunteering his time to the Knights of Columbus and other organizations in the community. Most of all, his greatest love was being a proud grandpa who cherished attending recitals, sporting events, graduations and everything in between. To know Joe was to love him; his genuine heart, welcoming nature, and witty sense of humor touched countless lives.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Wendy Ruiz; their son Larry Ruiz and wife Lisa, and their children Zachary, Evan, Jayme, and Ty; their daughter Kathy Kathrein-Langdon and husband Sean, and their children Adam and Kaylyn; and their daughter Amy Buoniconti and husband Michael, and their children Malayla, Ryan, Alexi, and Jacob. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesus and Guadalupe, siblings, Gloria and Mary Ellen, daughter-in-law, Carrie, and grandson, Caleb. 

A rosary and mass will be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 10:30am at Ave Maria Catholic Church located at 9056 E Parker Road, Parker, Colorado 80138. A reception will immediately follow. The family is sincerely grateful to the many friends and relatives who have offered support and comfort during this time of loss. The family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers or gifts, that donations be made directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org) honoring Joe’s wishes.