Daniel Ruiz Martinez

On March 14th, 1957, Daniel Martinez Ruiz was born to Enrique Martinez and Maria Luisa Ruiz in Chilchota Michoacan Mexico. Daniel had 8 brothers. He grew up in Michoacan until the age 16 when he decided to take the brave and courageous trek to the United States in search for a better life for him and his entire family. After days of trekking through the dangerous terrain of the desert and the brutal elements he finally arrived in the U.S. He arrived scared, exhausted and with only two dollars in his pocket he was hopeful. Since then, not a day went by that he did not work hard wherever they would hire him. He picked up the love for Thai food working in the kitchen of a Thai food restaurant. From there he would move on to working as a supervisor in the textile industry, environmental services at a commercial cheesecake bakery and a driver at the Bell Gardens Bicycle Casino. Wherever he worked he dedicated himself to the company and fellow coworkers.

On one faithful New Years Eve dance he met and fell in love dancing to La Sonora Santanera. He eventually made Leti his wife on July 2, 1986. Together they raised a beautiful family with Cindy, Liza and Michael. Danny shared his love for music and dancing with his wife and his love for soccer and boxing with the kids. Danny and Leti raised the kids in a loving home, teaching the kids how to drive, cook beans with jalapenos, how to cheat at board games and a taco is not a taco without tons of hot chile. After years of taking English and U.S. History classes Danny finally became a U.S. citizen. After many years of hard work his health led him to an early retirement. He spent his retirement with Leti watching movies and tv. He loved visits with the family and chasing the grandkids stuffing spending money in their hands.

Together Danny and Leti watched their family grow to 11 grandchildren and 2 1/2 great grandchildren who will miss him dearly. He is survived by his wife Leticia Rodriguez, children Michael Ledesma (Jacqueline), Elizabeth Cantu (Mathew), Cynthia Nellum, a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, brothers, family, and friends. He is preceded in death by his father Enrique Martinez and mother Maria Luisa Ruiz.

The family wishes to thank everyone for all the love and support they have shown Daniel throughout his life. We express our appreciation to the healthcare workers that contributed to his medical care.