Jose Ruano

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José Antonio Ruano Roca, alias “El Chivo Cabro,” passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loved ones, on May 9, 2025, at the age of 91. Born in San José Acatempa, Jutiapa, Guatemala, José Antonio later settled in the United States, where he lived a full and meaningful life, finding joy in his work and serving his family and neighbors.

He is survived by his ten children: Aura (Aury), Marilyn (Amintha), Irina, Macrina, Débora, Bildia, Melca, José, Rolando, and Jayli; 69 grandchildren; and 40 great-grandchildren, who affectionately knew him as “Papito” and “Abuelito.” José Antonio is now reunited with his beloved mother, Aura; and his father, José.

Jose Antonio never knew his father. His mother was expecting him when his father passed away. Although he had a difficult childhood, he honored and respected his elders, and they respected him back, establishing his authority from the age of 5. They treated him as their equal. He didn't like to see them laugh because he was cute; he liked to be taken seriously. Not having the privilege of growing up with both his father and mother, he was raised by his grandfather, Don Amadeo Roca Martínez. He taught him many things; he loved to eat sitting on his lap, and it was there that he learned to eat chile, which he loved! He added chile to all his meals and had to accompany them with well-toasted tortillas. He also instilled in him the principles of love, respect, appreciation, selflessness, service, and hard work. From a young age, he worked alongside the mozos on his hacienda. He learned to plant and till the land, to care for the animals, and to make deals with his grandfather so that he would pay him like the mozos to earn a living. It was his great satisfaction to know that he earned his money by working. The mozos were treated with respect like part of the family they sat at the table to eat.

His saddest memory, which he often shared with us, was the loss of his horse, a great loss, at the age of 6. I'm glad he's finally with him as well. He also traveled to nearby villages with the workers to sell their products. He told a story in which his grandfather told him that if he saw any grains of beans lying on the ground, he should pick them up because nothing should go to waste. As a child, he questioned this seeing the mills filled with all kinds of grains, honey in abundance, and why his grandfather had said that. As an adult, he understood and taught us that food is a blessing and should not be wasted.

At age 9, he had to leave his home with his mother to go to school, since his village only offered elementary school up to the third grade. He went to the city to live with his uncle (from his mother’s side). While there, he faced serious hardships, such as having nothing to eat and walking for miles on an empty stomach to go to school, sometimes fainting from lack of food. It wasn't because of a lack of food in his home, but because an adult despised him and denied him food, hiding it under lock and key. Yet he still found a way to get something to eat... As you can imagine, he learned to pick locks...

He comes from a family of generous, loving, and respectful people who gave much to humanity. They were very wealthy, not only materially but also spiritually, as service providers, healers, and doctors.
Their family legacy goes back generations. They are much loved and respected by many. Our father always enjoyed sharing material possessions, his ideas, and what he learned. He would enthusiastically wake up every morning and call each of us, beginning his conversation with, "Today we are going to build an empire!" He didn't give from what he had left over, but with sacrifice gave to those in need without reproach and in abundance. That's why our home was blessed. We never lacked anything, everything was abundant.
Our home was the favorite place for all the missionaries. They were always welcomed and loved being with my father, who was and always will be a great missionary. He supported them in everything. He lived the gospel in action. He never let a homeless or needy person pass by without first helping them, and he taught us the same principles. Some of his favorite quotes are: "Give to those who ask," "He who doesn’t serve, is useless."

As a teenager, José Antonio served as a cadet at the prestigious military officer training school, “La Escuela Politécnica located in Guatemala City.
On August 2, 1954, José joined the military school's cadets in the fight to repel the invading army after the overthrow of Guatemala's democratically elected president. He spent six years in exile from his country in Mexico and Honduras, but for his service, he was named a National Hero of Guatemala and awarded the rank of Colonel in the Guatemalan Army. His greatest satisfaction was being the boxing champion of his school. He always found time to box and teach his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

In 1968, José Antonio joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After many years of being an atheist, he rejoiced in finding the true God. Since then, he has always been faithful. He says he owes it to the people of Quetzaltenango. Later, he would serve in various callings in The Church of Jesus Christ, including branch president, bishop four times, high councilor, counselor in a stake presidency, and in a mission presidency. In his later years, he would serve three full-time proselytizing missions and a service mission alongside his beautiful wife, whom he passionately adored and always said, "I married the most beautiful woman in the world! No offense to anyone present.” He helped convert hundreds of people, personally baptizing dozens of converts, and spiritually influenced the lives of thousands.

José Antonio was courageous in his testimony of Jesus Christ. He was not ashamed to profess the gospel to everyone he met. Many years before President Nelson called on the Church to abandon the name "Mormon" to refer to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph would loudly and firmly tell everyone, "I am not a Mormon! I am a Latter-day Saint!"

José Antonio believed in courtesy and chivalry. He stood tall when someone entered the establishment. He opened the doors to both men and women. He always carried extra handkerchiefs to give to anyone who needed them. He would take off his tie, jacket, coat, or shoes and offer them to anyone who complimented him on his garment or who looked in need. He loved to look people in the eye and greet everyone he met with a firm handshake and a warm smile.

José Antonio was a talented artisan, and in the 1980s, the Guatemalan government granted him the title of "Artisan of the People." He organized the creation of a large artisan market that still exists in Guatemala City. He made hundreds of products, including furniture, works of art, and jewelry, using raw materials from nature. He worked tirelessly throughout the day, often waking up before dawn, starting his day with prayer, reading his scriptures, and exercising. He always kept himself in shape. Then he busied himself working in his workshop. It gave him great satisfaction that all his children could come to know God, learn to work, and develop their talents to the fullest. He always taught us to fly high and give our best. Through arduous work of both very talented and artistic parents, we were able to study at the best private schools in Guatemala, as education was very important to him. He made a living for himself with the money he earned from what others threw away, such as bamboo, corn stalks, banana peels, coconuts, and morros. He used to say, "You make money from what is considered trash through hard work."

Although he studied at the military academy for several years, José Antonio was largely self-taught. He was a voracious reader. His favorite books were the Book of Mormon and the Bible, as well as all the standard works and manuals he read daily, but he also enjoyed reading historical and philosophical works and poetry. He loved to recite poetry, especially poems by Miguel Ramos Carrión and Salvador Díaz Mirón. His favorite poems were "To Gloria,"

Services will be held on Thursday May 15, 2025 at the LDS Church at 6722 West 10400 North in Highland, Utah. There will be a viewing at 11:00 am followed by the funeral at 12:00 noon.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.

*Disclaimer: If for some reason the livestream of the Funeral Service does not work we will record the service and upload the video and/or audio recording at a later date.*