Edward L Ruiz

Edward L Ruiz "Eddie", 78, of Tucson Arizona passed away on December 16, 2016. Services will be held at South Lawn Cemetery 5401South Park Avenue Tucson Arizona 85706 on January 5, 2017

Family viewing 9:00-10:00

Visitation and Funeral services 10:00 -11:30

12:00 leave for Arizona Veterans Cemetery 15950 North Luckett Road Marana Arizona 85653

Burial with Military honors at 1:00

Edward is preceded in death by his father Jose Ruiz, mother Lupe Larribas Ruiz, brother, Pedro Ruiz, an infant son Eduardo Ruiz, first wife Martha Abeyta Ruiz, second wife Rita Brown Ruiz.

Eddie is survived by his brother Fernando Ruiz of Tucson, Arizona, daughter, Margie Miller and husband Tim of Nappanee, Indiana, Eddie Ruiz Jr of Arkansas, Joanne Jeter and husband Brad of Glendale Arizona Gina Nesmith

and husband Greg of Glendale Arizona, Julie Ruiz-Plante and husband Greg of Phoenix, Arizona.

Grandchildren Jerri Ann Winters, Malory Mainor, Meghan and husband Wade Wagley, Kyle Bootyl, Danny Ruiz, Rance Winters, Ryann McDowell, Madison Mainor, Mitchell Mainor, , Melody Miller, Raif Nesmith , Alexis Plante and Edward Plante. Trina Figueroa and Shanti Painter and husband Josh.

Great Grandchildren Kaiden Wagley, Wade Wagley, Emery McDowell, Deegan Carnesi, Aiden Olvias, Penelope Gordon, and Payton Wagley and Landon, Aiden, Evelyn Painter and Alex Mainor

Nephew Lenny Ruiz, who was like a son, George Sanchez, who was like a son, numerus cousins, nieces and nephews.

Eddie was born in Tucson Arizona on July 20, 1938. He lived on his family ranch with his Grandparents, parents and his two brothers, whom once strapped little Eddie to a goat for their entertainment. The family moved into Tucson where he attended Elizabeth Borden School. As a teenager his love for fast cars began. He and his cousins quickly learned all the back roads. Eddie, with his cousins, friends and of course, the girls went out on dates to the drive in. He enjoyed going to dances and the horse races. He became a jockey and winning races was a high. He married Martha had a family then moved to Campo California where he worked on a horse ranch, he then worked in construction, owned a big rig truck that took him to many states, he was also a volunteer fire fighter. He was big into the CB radio club going by "Little Apache" as his handle. He always had a passion for auto mechanics and did that throughout his life. When he and Martha separated he went back to the race track where he always felt at home. He dusted off his old jockey helmet and saddle and went back to riding capturing his dream of winning races. Proudly hanging in his home was a win picture with his grown children in it.

He retired in Duncan with his second wife Rita. He had a mechanic shop and a cozy little place there. He later stayed with daughters Joanne, Julie and Ryann then spent a year with Jerri Ann and great granddaughter Deegan before his last stop at senior community Sunnyside Point for four years, where he met many friends, did some gardening, but most enjoyed the sun on his patio visiting those who stopped by.

He had a smart phone that he learned he could talk text and boy was it 8fun getting those. Eddie loved his family. He was a dedicated husband and good father, coaching baseball, fixing bikes, getting horses ready for gymkhanas, even doing his little girls hair for Christmas programs. He was a great listener, never judging or interfering. He wanted his kids to be happy, healthy and enjoy life.