Ruben Jose Jimenez

Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

1931 ~ 2022

Ruben was born in the little town of Dividend, Utah on March 12, 1931. His parents were Juanita Salazar and Mateo Jimenez.  He attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Eureka and 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 an ROTC scholarship, and served for three years in the U.S. Air Forces as a transportation officer, first lieutenant in North Africa and Europe.  

He married his sweetheart MaryAnn Winterer, after six years of courtship on May 9, 1959, at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. They had a loving marriage for 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 13 years. He retired from US West after serving in middle management positions, and administrator in human resources. Upon retiring from US West in 1990, he was appointed director of Hispanic affairs for the state of Utah by Governor Norman H. Bangerter. He served for three years, representing Hispanics and their issues to state agencies.  

During this time, he helped organize several Hispanic community organizations and was actively involved in seeking justice for the poor and ethnic communities. He was very active with La Raza, SOCIO, the Centro Civico Center, and helped bring Cesar Chavez to Utah. He was appointed director of the Office of Hispanic Affairs when Bishop Joseph L. Federal of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City established the office. 

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 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;” 13 grandchildren: Rachel, Sarah, Andrew, Amanda, Grace, Sophia, Luke, Jack, Matthew, Shane, Shelby, Caleb and Rudd (RJ); and six great-grandchildren: Josie, Elijah, Ruby James, Ari Van, Gabriel and Audrey. 

A funeral Mass was celebrated on December 28, 2022, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Salt Lake City. Interment followed at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.