Ruben Ernest Gallegos

Ruben "Ernie" Gallegos, 68, of San Angelo, Texas, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, surrounded by his family. Born to Roberto and Carolina Gallegos in San Angelo, TX, Ruben was raised in Sacramento, CA, where he attended C.K. McClatchy High School. Upon graduation, Ruben moved to Davis, CA, and attended UC Davis. His studies concluded at California State University, Chico, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Sciences. Ruben's dedication and hard work secured a 24-year tenure with Hewlett-Packard as an Engineer Scientist. His work on high-complexity projects helped to bring continued success and advancement to his team.

Ruben loved all sports, whether tennis, baseball, basketball, or football (Go Niners!). In addition, he loved playing chess and any board or virtual game(s) that stimulated his mind.

Ruben, like his mother Carolina, had an incredible green thumb. Whether plants or vegetables, his love for gardening ensured his home was always lush and green with the most delicious produce in the valley. He was also a proud member of Concho Valley Master Gardeners.

Though very private, Ruben unselfishly dedicated much of his time to giving back to his fellow man. In addition, Ruben was an active member of San Angelo Clubhouse. The Clubhouse model, part of an international organization, offers people living with mental illness opportunities for friendship, employment, housing, education, and access to medical and psychiatric resources in a single caring and safe environment.

At the San Angelo Clubhouse, Ruben used his Master Gardener skills to create a therapeutic garden unit and aided in crafting a grant for the San Angelo Health Foundation. The Clubhouse was awarded this grant and was able to begin building its therapeutic gardens. He also taught members and staff how to create terrariums and craft beautiful handmade cards. The selling of handmade cards and terrariums helped to raise money for the Clubhouse. Ruben's memory will live on through the many memories made with members and staff and the beautiful indoor and outdoor gardens he helped to create.

Ruben was a fierce advocate for mental health. As a founding member of the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in San Angelo, TX, Ruben helped bring awareness of the benefits of therapeutic gardening to both state and national NAMI Conventions. In addition, Ruben was a trained facilitator of NAMI classes and collaborated with the Clubhouse director and NAMI affiliate leader, Ami Mizell-Flint.

Ruben was preceded in death by his parents, Roberto and Carolina Gallegos, his sister, Mary Grace Settell, his brother Robert A. Gallegos, and his daughter, Angelica Gallegos. Ruben is survived by his brothers, Jose Varela, Jamie Gallegos, Danny Gallegos, sister Vivian Bailey, his aunt Margarita Lankford, cousin Mary Gonzales, and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, October 8, 2022 at Johnson's Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens.

The family would like to extend their thanks to Hospice of San Angelo for all of their support.

In place of flowers, his family requests donations to:

San Angelo Clubhouse at Sanangelocubhouse.org, or mailed to San Angelo Clubhouse, 404 S. Irving Street, San Angelo, TX 76903. Or the American Cancer Society.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com for the Gallegos family.