Melvin Ruiz, born  October 4, 1936 passed away peacefully on December 6, 2017 at home. He was born in Saugus, California to Henry and Juanita Ruiz.  The family moved from Saugus in 1955 to Mariposa.  A few years later they moved to the current homestead on Ben Hur Road  near Raymond.  Both Henry and Juanita lost  many of their immediate family members on March 12, 1928 when the St. Francis Dam located in San Francisquito Canyon near Los Angelses broke. After a tour of duty in the U. S. Army, Melvin worked as a heavy equipment operator and logging truck driver.  He later drove trucks in the cement and almond industries. He enjoyed being outdoors and working with his hands.  He was a man who would do anything for anybody and could fix anything that needed repair.  Melvin raised cattle for many years. He was the hardest worker and last one standing after a long day tending to fixing fence or baling hay.   His work ethic was unsurpassed, always leading by example. One of his greatest loves was his grandkids. He enjoyed hiking the backfields looking for feathers and arrowheads. Often, he would bring back handfuls of fresh watercress.   Melvin is preceded in death by his father Henry, mother Juanita and sister Rosemary. He is survived by his wife, Cassie, children Lori Robles (Cory Ruiz) , Byron Robles (Cindy), Vince Robles (Roni),  Melanie Ruiz-Jenkins (Ed).  Grandchildren, Daniel, Kim (Joey), Kyle, Taylor, Alisha (Nacona), Kaitlynn (Dale), Hannah, Hunter, great grandchildren Haley, Isabel, Miranda, Sarie, Slayden and Bayleigh, nephew Darrell Cordova (Norma) and family Darren (Serina), Trevor (Daniela).

Remembrances may be made to Friends of Hospice, P. O. Box 714 Mariposa CA 95338 or the Mariposa Search and Rescue. P. O. Box 276, Mariposa.   A Celebration of Life will be held in March in Raymond.

 Service Information