Reuben Ralph Santiago

It is with a heavy heart to share that Reuben Santiago passed away peacefully on March 11, 2025 at his home.

Reuben was born on April 11, 1929 in Merced, California to Jesus Santiago and Jesusita Jimenez. The family moved to Bryte, California when Reuben was a child and then moved to Gardenland in North Sacramento where the family remained.  It was in this home where Reuben recently returned and took his last breath.

Reuben graduated from Grant High School where he excelled in Track and Field running the 40 yard dash and relay races.  In January 1951 Reuben was inducted into the United States Army and served in the 51st Signal Battalion in Korea. He was very proud of being a veteran and hardly ever missed Veterans Day pancake breakfasts at the West Sacramento VFW.  After his honorable discharge, Reuben returned to Sacramento and began his career as a radar technician at McClellan Air Force Base where he retired after 37 years of service.  Not one to sit around, Reuben started his second career with Regional Transit Authority as a light duty mechanic at the age of 71.  After almost 17 years of service, Reuben retired from RT at the age of 87.  Retirement provided him with more time to attend to his bonsai plants and his huge backyard garden from which he provided fresh vegetables to his family and friends.

Throughout his long life, Reuben was an avid fisherman and deer hunter, but his passion was boxing.  Reuben used this passion to start a boxing club at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, where his 3 children attended school.  Reuben and his friend Jim trained elementary school children of all ages until they were ready for boxing matches.  Reuben later branched out and trained children in the Police Athletic League and the Junior Olympic Boxing Association.  Reuben was a certified Level 1 Referee and Judge and traveled the nation and various countries sharing his skills.  In fact, Reuben just got noticed last month that his certification was about to expire so he was making plans on which clinic to attend for recertification.  He was not about to let that expire as long as he was still here.

Although boxing was number one, Reuben filled any spare time he had with hobbies such as leather work, creating beautiful bonsai plants, collecting gem stones, wood carving and gardening.  Reuben also loved to play chess and always had a board set up in case anyone dropped by.  If not, then he would play online chess games.  And if he got really bored he would  frequent the local casinos to play the slot machines.  He made sure he went on Sundays for their promotional gifts that he would distribute to his children and grandchildren.

Reuben was preceded in death by his parents, Jesus and Jesusita Santiago, his brother Alfred Santiago, his sister Lilian Santiago and his grandson Christopher Ramos.

Reuben is survived by his sister Maria Martinez, his daughters Debra Lizarraga (Joe) and Lori Santiago, his son Reuben Santiago II, 9 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren.

Reuben was not your typical 95 year old man.  Every where he went people complimented him on his youthful good looks, his spryness and his witty mind.  Reuben was fiercely independent and determined not to become a burden to his family.  During the last week of his life, Reuben’s family witnessed him humbly accept his life’s end as well as their help with his transition.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025 at St Mary Cemetery & Funeral Center, 6509 Fruitridge Rd, Sacramento CA 95818.  Visitation 9:00am, Mass 10:00am, Internment with Military Honors 11:00am