Manuel M. Ruiz

Manuel Munoz Ruiz, age 94, of East Austin, passed away on Monday, February 1, 2021, surrounded by his daughters in his home.

Manuel could only be described as a great man - a great father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. And above all, he was a great husband to the woman who captured his heart, Alyce Arechiga Ruiz. From the moment they met until his final breath, he loved her. She preceded Manuel in death 23 years ago, and he lit a candle for her every day.

He was born April 20, 1926, in Creedmoor, TX, to Maria Munoz Ruiz and Bonifacio Ruiz. He was the oldest of eight children. Preceded in death by his sister Angie Aguirre.

Manuel worked hard all of his life, beginning in the fields and taking him into the restaurant work, tile setting, and into Seton's halls before finally going into business for himself as a landscaper. Where he put in long hours in the Texas heat, making other people's yards look beautiful.

Manuel had an incredible sense of humor that showed up in big and small ways. When you least expected it, you found yourself in the middle of a joke he had been coming up with all day. More importantly, when you were welcomed into his yellow house in East Austin, you were home. He took care of everyone - he was a friend to all of his kid's friends; if they needed help, he helped them, and if they needed money, he gave them work. Most of all, he took care of his family. He took care of them until the end. And when it was time to say goodbye, he again made it easy for everyone by calling them back home where they all grew up, felt safe, and cared for.

Manuel is survived by his six children: George Ruiz and wife Lydia Ruiz, Kathryn Ruiz, Amelia Ruiz, Lucille G Ruiz, Alyce Marie Ruiz, and Manuel Ruiz Jr and wife Anna Ruiz; six siblings Frank Ruiz, Candelario Ruiz, Inez Ruiz, Tony Ruiz, Linda Ruiz, and Josie Castellanos; thirteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4pm- 6pm on Friday, February 5, at Cook-Walden Funeral home, followed by the recitation of the Rosary.

Funeral Services will begin at 10am on Saturday, February 6, at St. Austin Catholic Church.

To leave condolences for the family please visit www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com