Ruben Soto

Ruben Soto, C.P.A. April 15, 1921 "? March 19, 2013 peacefully departed this world and into our Lord's kingdom on March 19, 2013.-Ruben was born in Laredo, Texas on April 15, 1921 to Crisanto and Gonzaga Almendarez Soto.-He will be greatly missed by his seven loving children, eleven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.-

Ruben graduated from Laredo Martin High School in 1939 and served in the Army Air Corps from 1942 "? 1946. With the war over, Ruben was honorably discharged and was sent on a bus home, and fate had placed a bus stop on a street called Guadalupe in Austin.-As he got off the bus, he noticed this tall building hovering over him in awesome grandeur.-He asked someone what this building was. They explained that it was the Tower of the University of Texas.-Ruben, in great excitement, asked how one could become a student at this great university.-They pointed to the registrar's office, he picked up his bags and walked right on over. As he approached the counter, he told the lady he wanted to register for the new semester.-Unbeknownst to him, the semester had already begun, but the lady, noticing Ruben in his uniform, found a way to place this war veteran into the University. This was the beginning of a true Longhorn in the making.-

While at the University as a member of Beta Alpha Psi (National Honorary Accounting Fraternity), he tutored fellow students including football players.-He was allowed to enroll in a graduate level course in accounting in his senior year, making him the only undergraduate student in the class. Ruben received his BBA in Accounting from The University of Texas at Austin in 1949.-

Ruben took 3 out of 4 parts of the C.P.A. exam as an undergraduate and passed the I.R.S. exam for special agent in the intelligence division. In 1951, he passed the C.P.A. exam to become the first native Laredoan to obtain the certificate.-Shortly thereafter, he started his own C.P.A. practice and was self-employed for many years to come.-He started his CPA practice in a small two-room office with borrowed equipment and no money.-Fortunately, his business grew gradually and, eventually, he established his office in a historic two-story house on 1009 Santa Maria Avenue. He also became the first local CPA to utilize automated accounting.
Always an advocate for education, he sponsored fundraising activities as head of the Laredo Club to provide scholarships for future Longhorns.-Throughout his career Ruben served his profession and community through other organizations which included the Laredo Optimist Club,-the Laredo Public Accountants,-the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of-CPAs, Webb County Heritage Foundation, Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra, Webb County Archaeological Society,-and the Laredo Mexican Chamber of Commerce.-A hero for justice, he was also active in the Reform Party which met regularly at the Tumble-Inn.
Ruben took pride in his recognition from the University of Texas Exes organization as an Outstanding Alumnus and receiving the prestigious Longhorn Legacy Award in 1996; a pinnacle of achievement for Ruben.-He was also recognized as a Tiger Legend in 1999 from Laredo Martin High School.

Ruben succeeded in instilling in his children a deep yearning and appreciation for education.-He is very proud that all of his children chose to attend college, and that several of his sons and daughters also chose to follow his interest in accounting and be associated with the business at one time or another.-Yet, nothing can exceed the joy he had when his four sons graduated from his Alma Mater.

In his early years, Ruben enjoyed travelling to Austin for Longhorn football games, watching bullfights in Mexico, and taking his motor-boat, Big-T, out on the lake.-His love for football and bullfights was manifested by his one day trips beginning with a football game in Austin and ending with a bullfight in Monterrey.-He also enjoyed spending time with his loving family, with holidays being especially gratifying.-He treasured the moments in enlightening the minds of his youngest son and grandchildren during dinner nights out, especially at Julep's restaurant.

Throughout his lifetime one of Ruben's major passions included photography and video; compiling an impressive collection of film and video spanning a timeframe of seven decades.- His photos and video have captured so many memories that will be enjoyed and cherished for many years to come.

The Soto family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Arturo Garza-Gongora & Staff and the 5th floor staff at Laredo Medical Center, Salud Home Health, Altus Hospice Care and a special thanks to Ruben's granddaughter, Prissy Ramos, who used her medical training to provide a unique loving care and attention to Ruben in his final years.-We are also thankful for the round-the-clock care given by his exceptional caregivers ""? Mati, Olga, and Adela.-

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Laredo Area Community Foundation for the newly created Ruben Soto Sr. Education Memorial Fund dedicated to the pursuit of higher education.

In celebration of his legacy we invite you to wear orange at the visitation. Hook'em Horns!

He was preceded in death by his parents, Crisanto and Gonzaga A. Soto; as well as by his sisters, Consuelo S. Marchan and Esperanza Soto.

He is survived by his children, Rina Soto, Leida Soto, Cheli (Jaime) Soto- Gonzalez, Ruben (Aurora G.) Soto Jr., Crisanto (Veronica) Soto II, Alex I. (Alma) Soto, Arturo (Lucinda) Soto; grandchildren, Priscilla (Rene) Ramos, Evita Flores, Alex Gonzalez, Alyssa Soto, Melissa Soto, Victoria Soto, Arianna Soto, Roman Soto, Reece Soto, Cristabel Soto, Sarina Soto; great-grandchildren, Melody Ramos, Rene Ramos Jr., Alejandro Daniel Gonzalez; sisters, Maria S. Aguilar, Alicia S. (Gilberto) Lopez; and by the mother of his children, Elsa Soto. He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other loved relatives and friends.