David Louis Ruiz

MAJOR DAVID LOUIS RUIZ, 50

Our beautiful David, devoted husband, father, son, brother and protector of our country, died suddenly at his home in Spotsylvania, VA., on September 8, 2012.

David was born on July 13, 1962 in Polson, MT. to Louis and Carol Ruiz of Polson, MT. Shortly after David's birth, the family moved to Kalispell, MT.
David's sister, Teresa was born in 1963, brother, Pablo was born in 1965, brother, Michael was born in 1967, and sister, Linda was born in 1971.

David attended Flathead High School. He was class president and also lettered in track. He graduated in 1980 with Honors.
He was appointed by Senator Max Baucus to attend Annapolis. In 1980, he left Montana to attend United States Naval Academy Prep School in Newport, Rhode Island. In 1981, he attended U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated in 1985. He then became commissioned to second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1986, David married Tamara Dykes on August 30th. He went on to flight school in Pensacola, FL. After that he was stationed in Camp Pendleton, CA. David served with the 5th Marines in Operation Desert Storm. Shortly after arriving home, he was stationed in Kansas and was an integral part of the U.S. Marine Corps. Mountain Warfare unit in Bridgeport, CA. After retiring from the military, David became a consultant for Northface Corporation. After leaving Northface, David became an independent consultant.

David is survived by his wife Tamara and their three amazing children, Louie 23, Joseph 21 and Julia, 16. David also welcomed his first grandchild, Augustine, from son Louie and his partner Samantha Smith, all from Spotsylvania, VA. David is survived by his parents, Louis and Carol Ruiz of Ronan. Sister Teresa Ruiz Cranston and husband Scott, with their daughters Emma and Elise, all of Seattle. Brother, Pablo Ruiz from Missoula, brother, Michael Ruiz and wife Nancy with their children, Taylor, his wife Anna and Hudson, all of Missoula; sister, Linda Ruiz Walters and her son Garrett, of Missoula.

David was one of the most compassionate, giving and kind human beings one could ever know. He will be missed immensely. David, you are forever our hero and are now our angel above. We love you incredibly so.
Donations can be made to the Dave Ruiz Memorial Fund, C/O Dana Henderson (406-871-2727), Whitefish Credit Union or Navy-Marines Corps Relief Society, 875 N.Randolph St., Suite 225, Arlington, VA. 22203. A rosary will be held Monday, September 17, 2012 at 7:00 PM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson, MT. Services will be held Tuesday, September 18th at 11:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Church. Message of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com.
Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius. ~ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ~ David, you are a genius!

Read David Ruiz's Obituary and Guestbook on www.groganfuneralhome.com.