As Stanley gently slipped away at 10:05 pm on Wednesday, March 11, 2015, to finish his earthly journey, the original Sam and Rosa Measday Ruebush era came to an end.
Visitation will be Tuesday, March 17, 2015 from 4 to 6 at Baca's Funeral Chapel. His life will be remembered by friends and family Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock at Baca's Funeral Chapel with Norman and Lawrence Ruebush officiating. Cremation will follow.
Sam and Rosa moved to Deming in 1906 with five sons: Roy, Britton, Hubert, Carlos and Gene. They had six more sons in Luna County: Willard, Ernie, Oliver, Aylmer, Shelton and last but certainly not least, Stanley. Stanley was a wonderful person, beloved by all who knew him. It was always a joy to be associated with him. He always displayed such a kind spirit and had the quality of caring about the people he met. Stanley was very demanding of himself and his employees, whether at his farms or at his State Farm Insurance office.
Hugh Stanley Ruebush, Sr. was born east of Deming on July 16, 1924. The homestead was next to a gravel road which later became Country Club Road. When golf balls landed in his yard, Stanley would wash them and sell them back to the golfers for five cents apiece. In the spring of 1942, Stanley graduated from Deming High School. In high school, he participated in many school activities, to include FFA. He had a Rambouillet ram which took first place at the New Mexico States Fair, while he was in high school. From 1942-1944 Stanley worked on his brother, Aylmer's farm. In 1944 he bought raw land southwest of Deming from his Uncle Reggie Measday, and started clearing the land for a farm. He purchased a quarter section for $1200. His farm averaged two bales of cotton to the acre, and one year got up to four bales an acre. From 1944-1947 he farmed southwest of Deming. His first crop paid off his farm debt.
In 1947, Stanley began his college education, at the age of 23. He hired his brother, Shelton, to run his farm, and he then attended Abilene Christian College, in Abilene, TX.
Stanley's Papa, Sam, died in 1949. That necessitated Stanley to return to Deming, permanently, to assist with his Mama, Rosa.
In January of 1950, Stanley married, and he became the father of five wonderful children: Hugh Stanley Ruebush, Jr. (Trudi), Lima Peru; Barry Conrad (who preceded Stanley in death); Ardythe Jean (Jerry), Bloomfield, IL; Andrea Lyn (Mike), Abilene, TX; and Shelby Evin Ruebush (Kathy), San Angelo, TX. Grandchildren include Stephanie, Amy, Matthew, Emily, Jon, Kaitlyn, Mikayla, Jake, and one great grandchild, Hannah.
On March 15, 1959, Stanley was appointed as an agent for State Farm Insurance Companies. He conducted business out of his living room until he was able to purchase a little dwelling that he converted into an office. This property was across the street from Von Rue Crawford's Southside Market on Ash Street. He was a very successful agent for forty three years, retiring December 31, 2002.
Stanley married Carole Pentland Stewart in 1977. She brought to the marriage three more wonderful children: J. Patrick Stewart, Deming, NM; Judith Anne Palmer (John), El Paso, TX; and Christine Carole Ruebush, El Paso, TX. He gained more grandchildren: Patrick's Summer Diane, Patrick Dillon (who preceded Stanley in death), and Christopher Barry; and Judi's Candice Erin, Zachary Sean, and Rachel Christine.
Being a Luna County native, Stanley participated in many civic affairs. He was President of the Deming Chamber of Commerce, Deming Optimist Club, and the Sunshine School PTA. In the sixties, he was chairman of the March of Dimes for Luna County, giving direct help to Luna County youngsters with birth defects. His oldest brother, Roy, was President of the Deming Rotary Club, and Stanley, the youngest brother, was also President of the Deming Rotary Club. Stanley has been a member of the Deming Optimist Club for over fifty years, serving as high an office as governor for New Mexico/West Texas. He was an avid sports fan in Deming, going to as many football, basketball, volleyball, and tennis events as possible. He was also President of the Wildcat Booster Club, working the bingo games to raise money.
Stanley will be missed by many factions of our community. Just stop and think where you saw him last and how his optimistic personality radiated through and through. God bless him, and happy fishing, Patron.