Oct. 12, 1941 - May 3, 2016
Ruben Eloy Gallegos of Austin, Nevada passed away surrounded by family and friends at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center on Tuesday, May 3 after a brief illness. He was 74. Ruben was born in Sena, New Mexico, the second of nine children born to Atanacio & Elisa Gallegos on Oct. 12, 1941. His family moved to Grants, NM when Ruben was just five, and much of his family still resides there. As one of the eldest in his family, he spent much of his life bossing around his seven younger siblings, making sure they stayed out of trouble. Ruben had a life-long amazing work ethic, so much so that he lied about his age at 17 to begin working in the New Mexico uranium mines. Mining, with a particular expertise in blasting, was his prime career for 50 years, 39 underground and 11 in surface mining. In between mining, he tried his hand at different businesses including Ruben’s Deli and Disco in Grants and Austin Fencing in Austin. Mining brought him to Austin where he met his second wife, Sissie. There, he was instrumental in helping raise her three children and pretty much every other kid in town. Ruben’s hobbies included excavating 19th century bottles from old outhouses, horsemanship and collecting pretty much everything. He was a volunteer firefighter for 23 years, EMT for 7 years, a member of the local roping club. A lifelong Democrat, he was passionate about politics, helping anyone in need and keeping local kids out of trouble. He loved the Lord and would do anything for his large family. He always had a smile on his face, an optimistic attitude and a willing hand to lend. Ruben was deeply loved and will be deeply missed. Ruben is survived by his wife Sissie, children Ruben, Jr., of Florida; Donna Jean Feezer of Auorora, ILL., and Tina Thomas, of Huntington Beach, Calif. Mary Rae Gallegos of Albuquerque, Jeremiah Hammon of Portland, Ore. and Amanda Lonsberry of Mount Morris, NY; 16 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and multiple nieces, nephews. He is also survived by his brothers, Seferino & Kay Gallegos of Graham, Texas; Adelio Gallegos of Battle Mountain; George Gallegos of Grants, NM; Adam Gallegos of Albuquerque, NM and sisters Patsy Lopez, of Grants, NM; Toni Lucero, of Grants, NM; Lorraine & Donald Sandoval of Bluewater, NM. He is preceded in death by his parents, three nieces and nephews and his sister Isabel Alderete. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Smith Family Funeral Home of Fallon. There will be a viewing Friday afternoon starting at 2 p.m. Services will be held in Austin, Saturday, May 7 at the Austin Town Hall followed by interment at the Austin Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers for services are his son, Jeremiah, grandson, Tyler Gallegos, nephews, Scott, Tiger and Marty Gallegos; Nick Helming and honorary pallbearers Donald Sandoval, Dennis Lowe, Mike Miller and Paul Scott Gallegos. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Grants, NM.
