Obituary

Ruben M. Lucero, 56 years, went to be with the Lord on Thursday afternoon, March 23, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham, WA.  He was born on Tuesday, August 2, 1966, in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Ivan and Linda (Shiosee) Lucero.

Ruben was a descendent of his Great Grandparents, Joseph and Lucy Lucero, and Allen and Juanita Shiosee all of Messita, New Mexico.

Young Ruben M. Lucero resided with his family and graduated from Laguna Acoma High School in 1985.  In July he enlisted in the U. S. Army and trained at Fort Leonard in Missouri.  He then served in Korea.  Following his Honorable Discharge in July of 1989, Ruben returned to his home in Messita.

Ruben moved to Portland, Oregon in 1991.  He attended business school and majored in accounting.  He worked for Portland Area Indian Health Service and the U. S. Postal Service.  At this point in his life, Ruben met 28-year-old Lori Gensaw.

On December 26, 1992, Ruben and Lori were married.  The couple resided in Vancouver, Washington where their three children, Lyndee, Ashley, and William were born.  In November 1998, the family moved to Bellingham.  Ruben worked at the Lummi Nation A & W and moved into a job with Lummi Tribal Heath Center.  Ruben loved football and was an original chain gang member with the Lummi Nation Blackhawk team for 12 years.  He also served the Lummi Nation as a grave digger.

Ruben enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He was also talented artistically and loved to draw.  He would design greeting cards and posters, as well as designing t-shirt logos for his school kids.

Ruben was declining in health, yet his spirit was raised with every great accomplishment his kids achieved.  His heart swelled when Ashley and William graduated with their degrees.  He also felt so thankful when Lyndee decided to take a break from college to take care of him and Xander.

Ruben M. Lucero is survived by his wife Lori, his three children, his mother and two sisters.

Ruben lived long enough to enjoy his first grandchild.  Grandson Xander was his pride and joy. The highlight of Ruben’s day was Xander running and jumping on his lap.