Ruben DeFriez

Ruben E. DeFriez

6/1/1931 – 9/30/2021

Ruben was born in Castle Dale, UT to Joseph Dillard and Delilah Foote DeFriez and passed away in West Jordan, UT surrounded by his wife Bonnie and son Wade. He was the 8th of 10 children.

Ruben Graduated from Weber High School in Ogden, Utah in 1950, was a Golden Gloves Boxer and loved to sing. He attended the University of Utah afterward. While at the U of U he sang with the choir including A Capella, studying philosophy, music, and other fields. He later received an apprenticeship from Eimco, going on to graduate from Trade Tech with a 4-year degree as an Electrician.

Ruben loved philosophy, poetry, and well written works. Some of his favorites were Ralph Waldo Emerson, Rudyard Kipling, Plato, Aristotle, Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, John Keats, Homer, and others.

After High School, Ruben enlisted with the United States Naval Reserve and was called to active-duty service in the Korean War. When he was released honorably from service, he had obtained the rank of Seaman. He served on the USS Uvalde (AKA 88).

Ruben worked hard throughout his life. Over the years there were many jobs…Andy’s Smorgasbord, The V.A. Hospital in SLC, UT where he worked in the psychiatric unit helping Veterans, Walker Bank, Eimco, Kennecott Corp., etc. He retired from Tooele Army Depot. While at Tooele, he worked on 2-½ ton trucks as well as 5-ton trucks in the North Area. When that area was commercialized, he relocated to the South Area and maintained the Laundry for all employees tasked with destroying the chemical weapons stockpiled there, masks, suits, gloves, boots, testing, etc. As a small boy he saved up his money and put together a shoe-shine kit. He would go down to 25th street in Ogden, UT and try to make a little money so he could get some popcorn, a soda and go see a “picture show”. He was only about 10 years old.

Ruben was married more than once, but for the privacy of former spouses, adopted and begotten children, their names are not listed here. Please know that each of you were always in his heart and mind. Sincerely.

Ruben was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was sealed to his wife Bonnie, and sons Wade and Brian.

Ruben is proceeded in death by his parents Joseph and Delilah, as well as his brothers and sisters: Horace Dillard DeFriez, Lois (Sphar) DeFriez, Reva (Brunson) DeFriez, George Evan DeFriez, Joseph Albert DeFriez, Daniel Foote DeFriez, Pearl (Smith) DeFriez, Devon H. DeFriez, and Jerry Lee DeFriez. He was also proceeded in death by his beloved son Brian Dillard DeFriez. There are many other precious family members and spouses of such that have passed or are surviving as well. He is survived by his wife Bonnie Lou (Ostberg) DeFriez and Wade Lee DeFriez.

Graveside services will be held Thursday, October 7, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd, Ogden, Utah.  Friends may visit with family Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah.

Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd. Ogden, Utah.