Ruben Contreras

Ruben Contreras, 62, of Waco, passed away December 18, 2019. Funeral Services will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Dr., Waco, Texas with Pastor Irie Cuevas officiating. Interment will follow at Waco Memorial Park. A Visitation with the family will be 6:00 – 8:00 pm, Friday, December 27, 2019 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel.

He was born on September 23, 1957 in Waco, Texas to Jesse and Esther (Nino) Contreras. He graduated from Richfield High School in Waco, Texas in 1976 and went on to receive an Associates Degree in Management Development from McLennan Community College.

Ruben managed and operated Jesse’s Tortilla Factory location #2 in Temple, Texas from the Mid 1980’s to the mid 1990’s.

He enjoyed cooking.  His specialties were enchiladas and very hot, hot sauce.  He even grew his own peppers.  However, his favorite past time and hobby was to “collect things” …. LOTS of things and loved sharing the things he collected with others.  Ruben didn’t have much, but what he did have he always wanted to share with others. He was quick to give his last dollar even if it left him in a bind. His memory was excellent, he had a great sense of humor and a quick wit about him. Ruben insisted on doing things his way regardless of how long it took. He didn’t watch a lot of TV, but loved listening to classic rock n’ roll.

Ruben was preceded in death by his father, Jesse Contreras; paternal and maternal grandparents; and a great-nephew, Justin Guerra. He is survived by his mother, Esther Contreras; five sisters,  Gloria Contreras, Alicia Rodriguez and husband Santos, Sr., Yolanda Perales and husband Ernest, Sr., Olga “Lulu” Gradel and husband David, Sarah Wiggins and husband Steve all of Waco, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.