To view a livestream of the funeral service on Wednesday, February 26, please click HERE .

DAVID BENJAMIN RUIZ

February 23, 1984 – February 18, 2025

"Only a Boy Named David" is a song about a young boy in the Bible who faced a great giant. Over the years, it became our David's theme. Like his namesake, he faced incredible challenges throughout his life, and with God's help, he conquered them all.

David Benjamin Ruiz was born full-term on February 23, 1984, weighing only 3 pounds, 5 ounces. His first booties came from a 12-inch doll, and his first outfits were Smurf doll clothes. By his first birthday, he weighed just 7 pounds, 12 ounces, finally reaching preemie size at 15 months.

David was born with Diploid Triploid Mosaic Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affected every part of his body. Doctors said he would not survive past 30 days, but David defied all expectations, reaching nearly 41 years before the Lord called him home.

David left an indelible impression on everyone he met. His smile, handshake, and enthusiastic wave were unmistakable. He greeted strangers like old friends, offering them a kiss on the hand. He faced life's challenges with acceptance, courage, and a joyful spirit, with a quiet resilience that inspired all who knew him.

Though deaf by adulthood, David continued to communicate in his own way. He functioned cognitively at the level of a 22-month-old, while his physical abilities resembled those of an 8-month-old infant. Yet he embraced life fully, adjusting without complaint as his body changed. More often than not, his physical capabilities diminished rather than increased, but he simply moved forward.

He made the most of the skills he had left, whether it was crawling, playing with his blocks, or tearing paper, a skill he was actually taught in school as a potential means of making a living.  Unfortunately for any nearby documents, David did not discriminate in his paper-shredding endeavors.  He would eagerly tear apart and eat any paper he could find, including the occasional homework assignment, making him an unintentional but effective accomplice to procrastinating siblings. He quite literally ate the Word of God, one page at a time.

David also savored every sip of stolen coffee. He had a knack for locating unattended food and drink, often appearing beside them as if by teleportation. If no opportunities presented themselves, he would quietly sneak off to the kitchen, pour himself a secret cup of coffee, and then, when caught, obediently crawl back to his room while giggling the entire way.

David's love for music was evident throughout his life. He found comfort in worship, raising his hands in praise. We first witnessed David praising his Creator in worship when he was just seven years old, as he watched a choir sing "Oh, I Want to Know You More." His eyes closed, he slowly waved his arm overhead as his mouth moved to the heartfelt message of the song in silent adoration.

That was David. He loved to pray. Every heartache and frustration he felt was often immediately comforted with the folding of hands and the utterance of crying out to God through the tears. Then, with a final "T'an'Tu" (his best non-verbal attempt at saying "Thank You") and a smile, he would reach for a handshake and a kiss, his heart at peace once again.

David adored movies with powerful musical scores, including Twister, Apollo 13, Jurassic Park, and Star Wars. He also loved watching The Weather Channel, singing along with "Local on the Eights" every ten minutes on the hour for over three decades. Nothing made David happier than watching Steve Harvey for hours on end, not for the program, but for the man himself. His warm and dynamic personality made David erupt into laughter and applause every time.

David was surrounded by a family who loved him deeply. He is survived by his parents, Ralph and Julie Ruiz; his siblings, Dottie Moore, Michael (Tony) Ruiz, Christa Ruiz-Lundgren, and Jonathan Ruiz; their spouses, Scott Moore, Teresa Henry Ruiz, and Bill Lundgren; and his nieces and nephews, Cole (spouse Alli) and son Hudson, Clay, Crystal, Cierra, Cedar, Chloe, Ethan, and Miles. He was also cherished by his grandparents, Rafael and Maria Ruiz, Carmen and Israel Muňoz, Barney and Mary Beers, and a host of extended family too numerous to name.

He was preceded in death by his younger sister, Bethany Michelle, who shared his triploidy diagnosis but did not survive to be born alive.

David was never alone in his journey. His siblings played a vital role in his life, joining in his mischievous adventures and stepping up whenever he needed them. From childhood shenanigans to sharing Thanksgiving dinner in an ICU waiting room, they were always by his side. Thank you, Dottie, Tony, Christa, and Jonathan, for four decades of loving, supporting, and caring for David.

David, thank you for the lessons you taught us. You showed us how to live with joy and acceptance, to use what we have to the fullest, and to find peace in the presence of God.

We miss you already, but we know that you are whole and free from the limits of this earthly body. You are dancing on the streets of gold, speaking and hearing, understanding and being understood by the Savior you have loved for so long. We are so happy for you.

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Tuesday, February 25, between 5 p.m. at 8 p.m. at Klein Funeral Home - CyFair Northwest, 9719 Wortham Boulevard, Houston, TX 77065. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, at Cypress Bible Church, 11711 Cypress North Houston Rd., Cypress, TX 77429, where friends can once again visit with the family beginning at 12 p.m. Interment will follow the funeral service at Klein Memorial Park, Cypress.

Honoring David's Legacy

David was more than just a beloved son and brother. He was also a big brother to the global "DTM Family," a small but mighty group of around 70 individuals worldwide who share his rare diagnosis. The support organization UNIQUE played a vital role in connecting families like ours.

If you would like to honor David's memory, donations can be made to UNIQUE through the following link: www.validaid.org/fund/253 . Please mention that your donation is in memory of David Benjamin Ruiz.