Ruben Jose Jimenez

Ruben was born in the little town of  Dividend, Utah March 12, 1931. 

His parents were Juanita Salazar and Mateo Jimenez.  

He spent his young years in Eureka, Sunnyside and East Carbon City.  He attended St. Josephs Catholic School in Eureka, where he attributes his study habits and his love of learning to the Holy Cross Catholic Sisters who tutored him and his brother on English skills, as Spanish was the language of his home. 

He attended Junior high school in East Carbon city where he was student body president.  He   graduated from Carbon County high school, where he was class president.  He lettered in football, basketball, boxing and track.  He graduated from the University of Utah in 1954, on a ROTC Scholarship, and served for three years in the USAF as a Transportation Officer, First Lieutenant in North Africa and Europe. 

He traveled throughout Europe and Asia for six months and visited over 25 countries after his discharge from the service.  Upon returning home, he married his sweetheart MaryAnn Winterer, after six years of courtship in May 9^th, 1959, at the Cathedral of the Madeline.  They have had a loving marriage over 60 years and raised five wonderful children, who have succeeded in their careers as professionals.

Ruben worked at Sperry, Utah as an administrator for contracts to Military Organizations for eight years, and at Kennecott Copper as an Industrial Engineer for thirteen years.  He retired from US west, after serving in middle management positions, and administrator in Human Resources. 

Upon retiring from USWEST in 1990, he was appointed Director of Hispanic Affairs for the State of Utah, by Governor Bangerter.  He served for three years, representing Hispanics and their issues to state agencies.  NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement between Utah and Mexico were formalized during his tenure. 

During this time, he helped organize several Hispanic community organizations and was actively involved in seeking justice for the poor and ethnic communities and in bringing social justice to Utah for the Hispanic Community.  He not only loved working with the Mexican community, he was totally committed on their behalf.   

He was very active with La Raza, SOCIO, the Centrocivico Center, and helped bring Cesar Chavez to Utah. He was appointed director of the Office of Hispanic Affairs when Bishop Federal of the Catholic Diocese of SLC, established the office. 

They were successful in getting the Mass served in Spanish in all Parishes with large Mexican populations, and Hispanic priests were brought into the diocese by Bishop Federal and his successor Bishop William Weigand.  

He is the first of eighteen family members to graduate from the University of Utah, of which he was very proud.  As a role model for his siblings, children, nephews and nieces, he has seen the extended Jimenez family succeed in their educational and professional goals. 

 As an Historian, he loved to read everything he could, and could always be found with a book in his hand where ever he went.  He loved learning, and wanted to share his knowledge with his family whenever he could.  We all remember our turn to hear the stories of family and history over and over again.

Ruben encouraged a love for the outdoors witnessed by the many adventures our family had.   He would travel at every opportunity, be it Mexico, Alaska, Rome, or Jerusalem. Ruben gave his children and grandchildren the love of the mountains. He would often say, “I love My mountains,” as they were his home.  Family meant everything to Ruben.  He was always there to support and love anyone that needed him.  We remember him as a most loving father, husband, uncle and friend to all.

We would like to thank the staff at the  William E. Christoffersen Veterans Home for their most Loving Care for our Father.  They were part of our family for over years during their care for Ruben. 

Ruben is survived by his wife of 63 years, MaryAnn, Sons, Matthew and his wife Leah,  Michael, and Ruben, and daughters, Felicia Gaines and CeCe Mendonsa and her husband “Stevo”, Thirteen grandchildren- Rachel, Sarah, Andrew, Amanda, Grace, Sophia, Luke, Jack, Matthew, Shane, Shelby, Caleb, and Rudd (RJ), and 6 Great grandchildren- Josie, Elijah, Ruby James, Ari Van, Gabriel and Audrey. 

A Celebration of life will be on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City.  Guests are encouraged to use the parking and entrance on the north side of the building.  Funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, December, 28, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 670 1100 E, Salt Lake City, UT. Interment to follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 4th Ave “T” Street, Salt Lake City, UT.