Ruben Navarro
Ruben Navarro, obtained from Williams Funeral Directors.
Ruben Navarro touched the lives of many with his warmth, wisdom, and support. It is perhaps no surprise, therefore, that he was affectionately nicknamed “Grandpa” by his loved ones. Ruben was born on October 9th, 1961 in Dallas, Texas to Leopoldo and Maria Navarro. On October 13th, 2020, Ruben tragically passed away at 59 years old at Hospital Galveston while he was incarcerated at Hightower Unit in Texas. His pride in his home state, and his love of sports, shone through his passionate support of the Texas Rangers, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Dallas Stars. But Ruben was not just an avid fan on the sidelines — he also enjoyed spending his free time playing recreational soccer and volleyball, as well as coaching Little League and P.O.N.Y. League baseball. He graduated from Sunset High School and worked as a System Technician for more than 20 years.
Most of all, he loved serving Jesus and his Christian brothers and sisters through the Kairos Ministry. And he shared that love generously and selflessly with others through his prison ministry, where he showed great devotion in supporting and leading many men in their spiritual journey in Christ. Bill Anderson speaks movingly, almost poetically, on the guestbook of Ruben’s obituary of Ruben’s love for his brothers and the light he brought to their day-to-day lives:
“To know Ruben was to see God's love in action. His smile and heartfelt greeting of ‘God bless you my brother’ would brighten even the darkest day. In his ministry he spoke with boldness and clarity always, with loving kindness toward his friends and brothers in Christ. To know Ruben was to see a servant's heart always looking for a way to fill the gap or come alongside someone in need of a word of encouragement. To know Ruben was to see the true humility of a man who understood God's forgiveness, grace and mercy. I am a better man for having known Ruben, even for a short time. He was a rock, gentle leader and an inspiration for all who were privileged to know him.”
Ministering in the confines of his incarceration must have been hugely challenging. Ruben lived his calling and offered grace unbounded by timetables and schedules. In the words of Mike Powers from Ruben’s guestbook: “It is one thing to minister to people who go home at the end of a church service and don't see you for the rest of the week, but it is all together a higher calling and a more challenging ministry to shepherd those who see you all day everyday.”
Ruben embodied and lived a life of love, day in and day out. But those days were cut short. On September 3, 2020, Ruben tested positive for COVID-19 on September 3; he was transported to Hospital Galveston six days later, where he lost his battle with COVID-19 on October 13. Sadly, Ruben is one of nearly 200 people living and working in Texas prisons who have died from the virus.
Ruben’s impact on the lives of those he served through his ministry was enormous and enduring. As Gil Valdez notes on his guestbook, “Grandpa was one of the biggest spiritual influences in my life. He will live on through the encouragement, advice, and counsel that he imparted to the many lives he touched.” Clay Thomas adds, “Ruben is my best friend and mentor. He helped me get through many tough times. His legacy goes on.” His work was tireless, valued and enduring.”
“Every moment in your presence was a moment [of] peace and clarity because you always were honest and true with every word you shared,” wrote Jose in his guestbook. In this same spirit of peace, honesty and truth, we mourn today with those who grieve Ruben’s death.
This memorial was written by MOL team member Cecile Ramin with information from Ruben’s obituary published by Williams Funeral Directors and press releases published by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
