Valente Ruiz Pineda

Valente Ruiz Pineda, age 90, and a life-long resident of New Braunfels, passed away Thursday evening, April 3, 2025, at Resolute Baptist Hospital in New Braunfels. Valente was born on May 21, 1934, in New Braunfels to the late Eduardo Pineda, Sr. and Paulina Ruiz Pineda. He was one of 14 siblings.
Valente was a hardworking, strong, caring, and amazing man, son, brother, husband, uncle, dad, grandpa, father-in-law, and friend. He was a devoted Catholic and was a member of the La Sociedad De La Buena Voluntad. Growing up in his early years, he helped his family by doing migrant work, where they traveled to Michigan, Ohio, Colorado, and West Texas, picking cotton, tomatoes, potatoes, and sugar beets. In his early days, he worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the construction of Canyon Lake/Dam Recreational Area. As a construction employee, he would always say, “I helped build that.” He worked at KerBan Manufacturer as a woodworker, then worked at Canyon High School as a custodian, and later worked at Guaranty State Bank, MBank and Chase Bank, all in New Braunfels, as a custodian/maintenance employee where he eventually had the opportunity to retired from.
He enjoyed fishing and raising all types of livestock like horses, cattle, pigs, goats, and such. He enjoyed working in his garden, listening to music, and dancing. He was always outside looking to fix or build something for his beloved wife. He always made sure he attended his grandchildren’s baseball, football, and soccer games, band concerts, school events, and even graduations when he could. Everywhere he would go, he always made friends and was respected by all who had the privilege of knowing him. They always enjoyed listening to his stories about when he grew up and his family.
He loved his wife as they shared 66 years of marriage together. He always stated he loved and enjoyed her cooking. You would often find them both sitting outside under the porch listening to the birds and enjoying the day. He was a big part of our lives and will be missed by all. His pride and joy were his grandchildren, who he loved very much. He was willing to help his children and his grandchildren in whatever means he could. He loved his son and daughter very much. He loved and was thankful for his son-in-law and daughter-in-law. He will be missed by his best friend and loyal companion, his dog, Mitzi, as well as his other dog Canelo, and his cat Mocha.
We would like to thank Dr. Reel, Dr. Rush and the staff at Resolute Baptist Hospital in New Braunfels, for the care of our dad and grandpa, and their support in our time of need.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eduardo and Paulina Pineda; brothers, Eustacio Pineda, Eduardo Pineda, Jr., Juan Pineda, Onesimo Pineda and Francisco Pineda; sisters, Angela Gutierrez, Teresa Martinez, Augustina Hernandez and Serafina Ledesma. Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Leandra Pineda; children, Robert Pineda (Monica) and Diana Espinoza (Joe Michael); grandchildren, Cherokee Dawn Pineda, Christopher Ryan Espinoza and Olivia Rae Pineda; brothers, Martin Pineda (Teresa) and Jesus Pineda; sisters, Maria Sanchez (Guadalupe), Guadalupe Saldana (Johnny Molina), and numerous nieces and nephews.
A time to visit with the family will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with the recitation of the Holy Rosary beginning at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at the Lux Funeral Home Chapel. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Hernandez Cemetery in Hays County.