Reuben Pacheco

Reuben A. Pacheco returned to heaven on June 7, 2017. He was born September 6, 1933 to Alberto and Margaret Pacheco of Taos, New Mexico. He was the first of five children and attended primary schools in Taos, NM and San Francisco, CA. While attending Taos High School he found his life passion for woodworking, started courting his high school sweetheart – Josefa “Pepe” Martinez – and took on part time work as a gas attendent and taxi driver.

In January 1951 he and his father were en route to San Francisco, CA in search of employment and stopped in Tooele, UT to visit an uncle. The Korean War had recently begun and he and his dad immediately found employment with the Tooele Ordinance Depot. They decided to ‘stay for a while’ unknowingly establishing Tooele as ‘home for the Pacheco family’. In April of 1951, Reuben went to Taos to bring back his mother, brother and sister. In August of 1951 he again returned to New Mexico and married Josefa in the iconic San Francisco de Asis Mission Church in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico. Upon returning to Tooele, they lived in an apartment in TOD Park, then in Tooele’s “New Town” area then bought land in Pine Canyon (Lincoln) and built an adobe home in which he and Josefa remained thru his passing.

Reuben and Josefa (Pepe) had 12 children, 25 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchidren, and one great-great-grandson. His ‘family’ expands way beyond his children, his siblings and their children that number in excess of 180. He lovingly became known as “Dad”, Tio/Uncle” and “Grandpa” to countless spouses/significant others, children and friends.

From a very young age, Reuben took on leadership roles and leaves a legacy of working tirelessly for others in his church, at Tooele Army Depot, and in countless civic and social rights issues. Highlights of his community service include forming the Family Benefit Association (FBA), serving as an Advocate/Obmundsman for Tooele’s spanish speaking community during the challenging times of the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s, and creating SOCIO (Spanish-Speaking Organization for Community Integrity and Opportunity). Reuben’s leadership led to key roles such as an active member of the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) at Tooele Army Depot and serving as an advisor on Utah Governor Calvin Rampton’s Board for Spanish-speaking Affairs. In 1976 he was named “Chicano of the Year”.

Reuben’s formal employment was 33 years at Tooele Army Depot, with the bulk of the time in the Facilities Division’s carpentry shop where he was Shop Supervisor. He was very proud of his office – one of envy throughout the depot. After hours Reuben was found remodeling homes and businesses throughout Tooele County. The work was performed under the name of his business – Pine Canyon Custom Shop – which specialized in kitchens with formica finishes and hand carving. Today his home features a front door and kitchen cabinets with roses carved doors. Reuben was widely known as a ‘jack of all trades’, capable of doing a wide variety of skilled professional work and a willingness to lend a hand or tool. He continued operating the business through 2017. Just recently he actually retired and took up fishing with friends and really enjoyed it.

Reuben lived an active social life continually visiting friends and family all hours of the day and was known for gathering fruits and vegetables and returning with home made jelly or chili.

Reuben was the patrioch of the Pacheco Family! He loved his family very much and enjoyed spending time with them – especially in the home and in “the shop”. He was quite the character – always telling stories and jokes, giving individuals unique nick names and some times chastising others with a stern tone that disguised his caring character. He is most widely known for offering all visitors hot cocoa, peanuts, tortillas, chile or beans. He even had his own nicknames of “Robin Hood” and “Mayor of Pine Canyon”.

Most recently it was brought to lite that Reuben did a short term of military service and received an honorary discharge from the US Coast Guard.

Reuben was a proud member of the Catholic Church and frequently talked of his primary education at Sacred Heart Academy in San Franciso, CA. As a parishioner of St. Marguerites in Tooele, he helped establish the concept of ushers, assisted in building of the current church structure, facilitataing larger remodeling and painting of the parish halls, and building special spaces for the statue of Saint Marguerite Mary and the grotto for the Our Lady of Guadalupe statue.

Reuben is survived by his wife Josefa “Pepe”, children: George (Anita), Dennis, Kathy (Johnny) Archuleta, MaryAnn, Jeff, Gilbert, Daniel, Janet (Chris) Trujillo, Rowena, Christy (Jeff) Salandi, and Ruby (Keith) Larsen. Reuben is also survived by brothers Robert “Pepo”, Alex (Debra) and sister Elsie.  Reuben was preceded in death by parents Alberto and Margaret Pacheco, sister Orlinda Cordova, son James (Jimi) Pacheco, and grandson Anthony Graham.

A funeral mass will be celebrated Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at 11:00 AM at St. Marguerites Catholic Church in Tooele, UT. Friends may visit one hour prior to the mass as well as during the viewing Tuesday, June 13, 2017 from 6 until 8 p.m. where the Holy Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Tooele City Cemetery.

The "Pacheco Family Fund" at Chartway Credit Union can always accept gifts. The family can be reached via PO Box is 564, Tooele, UT 84074 and 566 North Ericson Rd, Tooele, UT 84074. Calls can be made to Josefa at (435) 882-0699 and Daniel at 801-244-2048