Ruben Saiz Cortez entered eternal life on August 27, 2026. Ruben was born on June 15, 1955, in Artesia, New Mexico, to Andres and Marsela Cortez. He was the youngest of five children. The family worked on farms throughout New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana. He graduated from Hobbs High School in 1974, where he met the love of his life, Helen Cortez.

Ruben was the first in his family to attend college. He was a participant and advocate for the Upward Bound program. He graduated from Eastern New Mexico University in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He then attended law school at the University of New Mexico School of Law and graduated with a juris doctor degree in 1982. Ruben and Helen raised three children – Stephanie, Yolanda, and Efren – while Ruben attended school. During summer breaks from law school, Ruben worked at Brown and Root in Houston, Texas.

After law school, Ruben and his family returned to Hobbs, New Mexico, where Ruben began practicing law. He worked for the Law Offices of the Public Defender for five years, then later began his own practice, Ruben S. Cortez Attorney at Law. He spent his career as a fierce trial attorney. He was generous with his time and a loving father who would not hesitate to take his children with him to the office or courthouse. He had a passion for law and, during his career, helped thousands of people.

Ruben was an extremely intelligent man. He was a chess champion and often compared life and law to chess. He had a sense of adventure and enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, and family vacations. He loved music, with a preference for outlaw country music. He was a dedicated gardener and loved growing tomatoes, jalapeños, and squash. He was quick-witted and often had a humorous quip during the most intense situations.

Ruben was a member of St. Helena Catholic Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, Andres and Marsela, and his siblings, Dominga, Raymond, Delfina, and Andres Jr. He is survived by Helen Cortez and their children, Stephanie Bowman, Yolanda Clayton and husband Keith Clayton, and Efren Cortez and wife Elaine Sena Cortez. He is also survived by his grandchildren Joshua Clayton, Brianna Ortega (Carlos Ortega), Ealan Clayton (Molly Clayton), Reese Clayton, Zachary Cortez, and Layla Cortez, one great-grandchild, Milo Ortega, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ruben has left an indelible mark on this earth. He was a trailblazer, selflessly sacrificing to forever change the trajectory of his family's lives, and his legacy lives on through them.