Dates
Ruben Villalovos Rodriguez was born on January 23, 1954, in Abilene, Taylor County, Texas, to Marcello Rodriguez and Frances Contreras Villalovos. Ruben grew up in Abilene and attended Abilene High School. After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he was deployed to the Western Pacific Ocean (WESTPAC) aboard the USS Suribachi (AE‑21).
After completing his military service, Ruben returned to Abilene, Texas where he married his first wife, Stella Galan and had three children: Marnie Ericka Rodriguez, Marissa Estell Rodriguez, and Ruben DeMarco Rodriguez. The family later relocated to Missouri and Arkansas due to Ruben's career as a civilian employee with Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) where he achieved Commissary Manager. Afterwards, the family relocated to San Antonio, Texas with Lackland and Kelly Air Force Base. Ruben later remarried in Cloudcroft, New Mexico to Rebecca Rodriguez where they had their daughter, Sabrina Monica Rodriguez and stepfather to Charlie Samuel Torres.
Faith was an important part of Ruben's life from an early age. Raised in the Catholic faith, he served as an altar server at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Abilene. Throughout his life, Ruben maintained a strong relationship with Almighty God. He loved traveling, wherever his journeys took him, and enjoyed visiting churches along the way.
Ruben possessed an adventurous spirit and believed in seizing the day with God, family, and friends. In his younger years, he was an avid runner and enjoyed 10K and half marathons. Ruben believed in spending quality time with his family. He expressed his love through cooking, gathering everyone together, praying before each meal, and sharing daily devotional scriptures and video messages with his children. He lived life as a free spirit with love, peace, and happiness.
Ruben loved life to its fullest, and he had a way of making his presence known and would show this by giving you a mighty "high-five." You would often catch him saying "Lord have Mercy", "that's far out", and "do your best and let God do the rest."
In his final years, Ruben found friendship, fellowship, and a sense of community at the Rio Concho Manor in San Angelo, Texas a place he dearly loved. He continued doing the things that brought him joy with daily walks, worshiping God, and giving thanks for the life he had been given.
Ruben entered into eternal rest on September 18, 2026, at the age of 72.
He is survived by his children, Marnie Ericka Rodriguez, Marissa Estell Pugh (Chris) and grandson, Christian Tyler Pugh, Ruben DeMarco Rodriguez (Lucinda), and Sabrina Monica Rodriguez (Oscar Marquez) and grandchildren, Selestia Shiloh Rodriguez, Oscar Marquez Jr., Mason Angel Marquez, and Zayne Marquez; his brothers, Roddy Rodriguez, Rodney Chavana, and Johnathan Rodriguez; his sister, Yvonne Bengoa; and their families, along with many other relatives, friends, and loved ones whose lives he touched.
Ruben was preceded in death by his parents, Marcello Rodriguez and Frances Contreras Villalovos.
A Celebration of Life honoring Ruben will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Rio Concho Manor in San Angelo, Texas and will be laid to rest on Monday October 5, 2026, at 11:00 AM at The Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene, Texas.