Rueben Vargas

May 17, 1932 - November 6, 2023

Rueben Garcia Vargas was born on May 17, 1932 in Orange, Calif., to Primo and Micaela (Garcia) Vargas as their second of 11 children. He was a first-generation American. As a young child, his family moved from Orange to the Bay Area. In San Francisco as a young adult, Rueben joined a boxing gym where Bert Brodose took notice. Rueben turned professional and was managed by Bert on January 11, 1955, after winning the 1954 National AAU Heavyweight Title, in a win over John Carroll in Richmond, Calif. He retired from boxing in 1959 with 26 professional bouts, winning 18, losing 8, and scoring 13 knockouts. Rueben married Mary Tabarez on July 24, 1959 and went to work as a carpenter and draftsman. Rueben and Mary were blessed with four sons. Rueben passed at the age of 91 on November 6, 2023 in Hayward, Calif. Rueben is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary (Tabarez) Vargas; his four sons, Rueben (Tracey) Vargas, John Vargas, Raymond (Teresa) Vargas, and Alex (Nycci) Vargas; his six grandchildren; and his six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by four of his brothers, Primo (Rita) Vargas, David (Sandy) Vargas, Eddie Vargas, and Michael (Susan) Vargas; and two of his sisters, Helen (Vincente) Vazquez and Rachael (Richard) Englund. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren.

Rueben was predeceased by both parents; three of his brothers, Sam (Lupe) Vargas, Albert (Barbara) Vargas, and Raymond Vargas; and one sister, Carmen (Henry) Castillo. Rueben’s ashes will be scattered in the San Francisco Bay on February 15, 2024 with many of his family in attendance.