Ruben Richard Gomez III, 40, of San Antonio, Texas, suddenly passed away on January 2nd, 2024, due to an ear infection which traveled to his brain and caused further infection to his body. He spent his last joyful Christmas at the Gomez family ranch celebrating with his grandmother, uncles, aunt, and cousin, along with his wife and daughter. It was a day of playing Christmas games, laughing, enjoying a beautiful meal and photos. His loss is completely unexpected, and our family is profoundly saddened.

Ruben or Rick or Little Rick, as he was affectionately known by his family, was born on June 2nd, 1983, to Ruben Richard Gomez, Jr and Roseann (Torres) Gomez in Uvalde, Texas. After attending Harlandale High School in San Antonio, he went on to study construction and repair.

He worked in the field of home/business construction repairs and painting and was known for doing his best. He took pride in his work and had a work ethic instilled by his family. He and his coworkers Paul and Kenny were like a band of brothers.

In 2005, Ruben met Nichole in Del Rio, Texas while he was working at a construction job for the courthouse in Val Verde County. He met his future wife, through his mother-in-law, who worked for Val Verde County. It was a true loving courtship of fun and laughter. Ruben and Nichole went on to marry and have one daughter, Evelynn Marie Gomez (age 10).

Ruben was a man of faith, who loved the Lord and prayed daily. His hobbies included being an avid hunter/fisherman and music lover. He often hunted with his favorite Uncle Charlie and invited friends to hunt with him on the Gomez family ranch in Atascosa County. Many beautiful memories of hunting and fishing were a part of his life. As a child and young adult, he often fished with his paternal grandfather Ruben Richard Gomez Sr. whom he called Big Dad. He learned to love and appreciate the land of his ancestors. He often visited his Uncle Charlie to play a few rounds of pool and talk about current events in his life and listen to music.

After his paternal grandfather Richard Sr. passed, he spent much time with his paternal grandmother Cecilia, whom he lovingly called Big Mom. Ruben was a loving husband, father, son, brother, cousin, nephew, and uncle. His quick smile and twinkling eyes will be forever etched in our memories. He had a great sense of humor, a stylish swagger and always had a giggle to share. He was a loving and devoted son, who always took care of his mother's needs and was a great friend and coworker. His sister Margaret often stated that Ruben loved to make others laugh! Above all, he dearly loved his daughter Evelynn. She was the apple of his eye.

Ruben is preceded in death by his father Ruben Richard Gomez Jr, grandfathers Ruben Richard Gomez Sr. and Raul Torres Sr.

He is survived by his devoted wife Nichole Gomez, his daughter Evelynn Gomez, his mother Roseann (Torres) Gomez, his sisters Cecilia Ann Ojeda (Mike) and Margaret Felicia Gomez (Josh), his grandmothers Cecilia Gomez of Jourdanton, Texas and Ramona Torres of Uvalde, Texas, and his mother-in-law Emma Cantu Mansfield of San Antonio. In addition, he is also survived by a multitude of uncles, aunts, cousins and a niece and nephew.

Services will be held at Hurley's Funeral home in Pleasanton, Texas on Wednesday, January 17th at 9:00am, with a rosary from 10:00am-10:30am. Followed by a mass at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Jourdanton, Texas.

The family is very proud of our loved one, who in death gave life to others by being an organ donor.

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers for Ruben and the Gomez and Torres families' condolences for the family, share memories or sign the online guestbook you may do so at www.hurleyfuneralhome.com.