In Loving Memory of Ronald K. Ruiz

Ronald K. Ruiz, age 74, passed away on February 4, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  He was born on October 7, 1945 in Sayre, Oklahoma to Felix and Marna Ruiz.  Because his father served in the United States Air Force, Ron spent his childhood in several places. Among them were Mobile, Alabama and Panama Canal Zone.  The family settled in Midwest City, Oklahoma in the 1950’s, where Ron completed elementary and junior high school.  He graduated from Midwest City High School in 1964.  He went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from Oklahoma State University. During that time, he spent the summers in California working on the railroad.  After graduation, he lived and worked in retail and home decorating in San Francisco, which is where he met his first wife, Patricia Danielle Svoboda. They were married in 1971.  Son Danny Ruiz was born in 1975.  In 1986, the family relocated to Colorado Springs when Ron worked for Laser Magnetic Storage. They built a home in Woodland Park and lived there until 2002. In the 1990s, Ron drove semis for Werner Enterprises and Knight Transportation.  Patricia Ruiz died in 2003. That same year Ron had heart surgery to replace the aortic heart valve. After recovering from the surgery, Ron worked as a limousine driver for Ramblin Express in Colorado Springs.

In 2004, he met Susan B. Bussard and married her on September 23, 2005.

Always a lifelong learner, Ron took post graduate courses in advanced mathematics, engineering, and hypnosis.  He was a hard worker and always took great care of his family. As much as he loved learning, he also had many hobbies, including sailing, wood working, skiing, traveling, and going to airplane and railroad museums.

Ron never met a stranger.  His winning smile and gracious personality created instant friendships with all he met.  He adored his family and enjoyed helping others.  He had a way of putting strangers at ease.  Ron served six years on the Board of Deacons and as a member of the Sanctuary Choir for 13 years at First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs.  As a deacon, he played the role of a jockey for the “Derby Days” party celebrating our senior members 80 and better. He worked as a cashier in lawn and garden at Walmart in 2019. During that time, Ron established a warm friendly rapport with colleagues as well as customers.

Ron is preceded in death by his former wife, Patricia Danielle Ruiz and his father, Felix Z. Ruiz.  He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Susan Beth Bussard of Colorado Springs; his son, Danny Ruiz of Colorado Springs; mother, Marna Imogene Ruiz of Midwest City, Oklahoma; sister, Brenda Carol Williams of Midwest City, Oklahoma; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

On February 4, 2020, Jesus called Ron home after a brief illness to see Him “face to face,” to be welcomed as a good and faithful servant.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ron’s memory may be given to Music Ministry of First Presbyterian Church located at 219 East Bijou, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903.

There will be a Memorial Service on Friday, February 28, 2020 at 1:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church located at 219 East Bijou Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903.