Anthony Ruiz

Robert Anthony Ruiz departed this life on July 14, 2011 and was taken from us too soon. Known as "Tony" to everyone who knew him, Tony was born in Biloxi, MS on February 18, 1954. He was the first son of Homero "Peppy" and Iona Ruiz. Tony graduated from Biloxi High School in 1972. Tony's first job was selling newspapers at Keeler Airforce Base in Biloxi, and he continued on with sales when he started working at JCPenny in Biloxi in 1972. He had a long career with JCPenny, advancing to Store Manager of Corsicana in 1998. He was a member of the Lions Club in Corsicana while he was the manager. He took early retirement from JCPenny's in 2003 after 31 years. Tony's true passion in life was a love for the outdoors and all that it entails. Deer and turkey hunting, and all kinds of fishing filled his life with friends and family from Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and most recently Texas. Through his close friends, Armin and Randy Piel he discovered West Texas and spent some of his happiest days in the hills surrounding Iraan, at the "Deer Lease". He so enjoyed his latest position working in the gun department at Gander Mountain in Corsicana, getting to talk about a subject so close to his heart. Tony came from a large family that includes 8 brothers and sisters. With a desire to start a family of his own in 1982, he married who he always referred to as "his lovely Bride" Pam. Tony and Pam welcomed their only child Jamie a year later. He took his daughter Jamie on hunting and fishing trips and never missed out on the fact that he didn't have a son to share it with. Throughout his life, Tony fought several serious bouts with cancer and was known to all who knew him as a fighter. If you ask any person who knew Tony, they would say he was a great guy who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it, always the first one to try and help in any way he could. Tony was preceded in death by his mother Iona Smith; step mother, Arlene Ruiz and nephew Joshua Harmic. Tony is survived by his wife Pam Ruiz; daughter, Jamie Starr and husband Brandon and first grandson Wyatt who is due in November; father Peppy Ruiz and step-mother Jane Ruiz; brothers Lavon Staten and wife Veronica, Ricky Ruiz and wife Sharon, Shawn Dickinson and wife Karen and Taino Ruiz; sisters Aloma Mello and husband Mark, Belinda Zitko and husband Mike, Kim Broderick and husband Mannie and Desiree Woroner and husband Chris as well as 29 nieces and nephews and 32 great nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held 2:00pm Saturday, July 23, 2011 at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home with Leah Hidde-Gregory officiating. Visitation will be 1:00pm - 2:00pm Saturday, July 23, 2011 before the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society.

Anthony Ruiz

February 18, 1954 - July 14, 2011