Jose M. Rueda, 93, of Dimmitt, Texas passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 1:00PM in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Rev. Bhaskar Adusupalli, Deacon John Nino and Deacon Richard Martinez as celebrants.  Burial will follow in Castro Memorial Gardens Cemetery under the care of Colonial Funeral Home of Dimmitt.  Vigil Service will be held on Monday, March 7, 2022 at 6:00PM at the funeral Home.

Jose M. Rueda was born on December 11, 1928 in Montezuma, Chihuahua, Mexico to Jose M. Rueda Sr. and Sofia (Calderon) Rueda.  Jose married Lilia Leyva on April 25, 1950 in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Jose migrated to Texas as part of the Brazero Program in the early 1950's and then worked as a farm hand for many years in Dimmitt where he and Lilia raised their 8 children.  In 1972, he moved his family to Dalhart where he worked for meat packing plants in the area.  They then moved to Hereford in 1979 and he worked for Armour Meat Packing Plant before working for Caviness Beef Packing Plant.  In 1985, he bought some land in Easter where he eventually retired.  Jose was living his longtime dream of raising farm animals, planting big gardens, planting trees, and messing with tools in the barn.  He sold the farm in 2008 and then moved back to Dimmitt.  In 2011 they moved to Amarillo where he lost his wife on October 29, 2012 after 62 years of marriage.  Jose worked hard to provide for his family and instilled that work ethic in his children.

Jose is survived by his 8 children, Lupe Ortiz and husband Carlos of Amarillo, TX, Rachel Mitchell and husband Jerry of Lubbock, TX, Josie Castillo and husband Jesse of Amarillo, TX, Ortensia Marcotte and husband Mark of Lubbock, TX, Leticia Carpenter and husband Stewart of Jesup, GA, Arturo Rueda and wife Maria of Mexico, Janie Navarrete and husband Eddie of Dalhart, TX and Joe Rueda and wife Aide of Conway, AR, 31 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

Jose is preceded in death by his wife, Lilia Rueda, granddaughters, Jessica Flores and Audrey Hunter, grandson, Luke Garcia, brothers, Manuel, Thomas, Rafael and Jesus, sister, Carolina Ramos and son-in-law, Paul Garcia.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Lubbock, 3702 21 ^st St., Lubbock, Texas 79410 or to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1001 W. Halsell St., Dimmitt, Texas 79027.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt gratitude to all friends and family for their prayers during this time.