Ruben Ignacio Barragan

Ruben I. Barragan, 80, of El Paso, TX passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2014. He was born to the late Mauricio and Rebecca Barragan on July 30, 1933 in El Paso. He graduated from El Paso High School in 1952 and enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was part of an elite group of 22 enlisted men, Detachment 3, 3933rd Radar Bomb Scoring during the Korean Conflict until his honorable discharge in 1956. He played semi-pro football with the El Paso Dons and in 1957 with the West Texas Ramblers. He then attended Barber College and in 1958, he and his brother Chito opened Fox Plaza Barber Shop which he took over as sole owner in 1973. He and Chito sponsored a boxing team between 1966 through 1974, trained by Chito, which won 8 straight Golden Glove Boxing Titles in a row. He also sponsored the Fox Plaza Barber Shop men’s softball team for over 30 years.

He is preceded in death by his parents Mauricio and Rebecca Barragan, 2 brothers and

2 sisters. He is survived by his wife Martha Barragan, daughter Michelle (Barragan) Alba, her husband Lorenzo Alba, Jr. He is also survived by his sister Hortencia Curiel and her husband Luis ; brother Hector “Pipo” Barragan, sister Josefina “Pipa” Barragan; brother Blas Barragan and his wife Maria, and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be: Pipo and Blas Barragan, Luis Curiel, Pablo Gonzalez, Antonio Figueroa, Francisco Licano, Jesus Juarez, and Hector Rincon. Honorary Pall Bearers: Alfred Cruz, Roberto Vasquez, Armando Heredia, and Carlos Ayub.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org) and/or to Christ the King Monastery of Perpetual Adoration (145 N Cotton, El Paso, TX 79901).

Visitation will be held Monday, January 20 from 5-9 at Martin Funeral Home Central, 3839 Montana Ave. with a 7pm rosary. Funeral mass will be held at St. Patrick Cathedral, 1118 N. Mesa on Tuesday January 21 at 1 pm. Burial will follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.