Jesus Castillo Ruiz

Jesús Castillo Ruiz passed away peacefully on February 19 after a brief illness. Born August 5, 1943 in Gilroy, CA Jesús lived in San Jose most of his life. The beloved husband of Anne and treasured brother of Jimmie, Natalie, Blas, Henry and Delia, he was predeceased by his parents Blas and Maria Luisa and brothers Manuel, Robert, and Gilbert.

Jesús served in Army Special Forces from 1964 to 1967. He was first SCUBA certified in 1972 while pursuing his BA degree at the University of California at Berkeley. Jesús later went on to become a SCUBA instructor, amassing numerous certifications and making many lifelong friends. He was a SCUBA Instructor Trainer for the City of San Jose Parks and Recreations Department. Among many specialty certifications, he was an American Academy of Underwater Sciences Research Diver and Blackwater Search and Rescue Diver. He was a lifelong learner.

Appointed by California’s Governor to represent the diving community as a stakeholder on the Marine Life Protection Act Regional Stakeholder Working Group, Jesús served on the Marine Life Protection Act Statewide Interest Group representing non-consumptive users. He received the Ocean Hero Award for his efforts to create Marine Protected Areas.

As an appointed stakeholder representative to the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee under the Department of the Interior, he represented community interests for Marine Protected Areas. Jesús served as a member of NOAA’s Marine Cultural Heritage Resources working group to negotiate and provide input into the development of more than 100 marine cultural heritage sites including several tribal government treaties. He co-authored “Recommendations for Integrated Management Using a Cultural Landscape Approach.”

Jesús worked for numerous political causes at a local and national level over the years. He relocated to Everett, Washington to manage field organizing to re-elect President Obama as well as Washington Congressional members. More recently, Jesús was a campaign organizer for Bernie2016. He was a Spanish Partnership Specialist for the US Census in 2010 and 2020 establishing partnerships with non-profits, veteran groups and businesses.

A talented artist, hard stone carver and metalsmith, Jesús designed and produced many treasures. He was invited to Suzhou China to exhibit his prize-winning jade carvings where he delighted in connecting with international carvers and friends. He enjoyed working in his home shop with carving tools and soldering torch up until the time of his hospitalization.

Jesús’ internal compass to work as a champion for those unable to advocate for themselves remained true all his life. Tough on the outside, a softie inside, we thought Jesús would live forever. He is dearly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jesús’ memory to a charity of your choice. A celebration of Jesús’ life will be held on Saturday, April 22 at 11am at Willow Glen Funeral Home (1039 Lincoln Ave.) Committal services will be held on April 24 at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery.