Obituary

Lazaro Jesus Ruiz

November 22, 1971 - December 30, 2024

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Lazaro J. Ruiz, age 53, cherished husband, father, foster/step-father, brother and friend, who passed away on the morning of December 30, 2024, after a sudden brain hemorrhage at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge.

Laz was born in Cardenas, Cuba on November 11, 1971, and immigrated to the United States at the age of eight. His love and loyalty for this country was reflected in his proud moment of becoming a U.S. citizen on April 11, 2000.  This was an achievement he held dear, because it symbolized his deep appreciation for the freedoms the United States offered. 

Anyone who knew Laz knew that he abhorred very few things: His life before he accepted Jesus, narcissism, a socialistic/communistic society and HOAs.   

Laz lived his life with integrity, courage, and humor. He had a strong work ethic, feeling that idle time should be spent accomplishing something.  For many years he worked several jobs at once, and often 24 hour days to support his family. The amount of jobs he had over his lifetime became a running joke for his family and friends, however he often said he had an old soul because of the amount of times he had to start over.  A hard lesson he learned early was the impermanence of things.  This lesson shaped him into a man who understood the fragility of life, as he and his mother had to pick up and start over several times as he grew up. It was these experiences that made the stability he found in his faith in Jesus Christ all the more precious.  Laz found peace and purpose when he came to understand that the Holy Spirit would never leave his heart, and he was intentional about sharing that message with others.

He was a very talented artist who got started in art when his step-father brought home clay for him to play with. He recalled fondly molding the clay into toy soldiers and horses and playing with it for hours. When he came to the United States, he struggled in school, and was often involved in fights, until his art teacher, Mr. Henson changed his trajectory.  Because of Mr. Henson's influence, Laz grew up with a passion for his art and eventually fulfilled his dream of making a profession of what he loved. He became a graphic designer who worked freelance for EOI Apparel and considered his leaders and coworkers as dear friends. 

Laz was a wonderful man with a generous heart. He gave freely of his time, talents, and resources, frequently stopping to help the homeless, supporting charitable causes or creating art for clients free of charge. He also took steps to become a foster parent to provide his foster daughter a stable foundation.  All of his neighbors became accustomed to seeing Laz walking the blocks in his subdivision in Louisiana with his beloved Siberian Husky, Ivan. He used the morning walk as a time of meditation and prayer for his loved ones and the evening walk was enjoyed together with his wife and step-daughter.

His laugh was contagious and everyone who met Laz, immediately liked him. Once you became friends with Laz, you could expect to be added to the list of funny Instagram shares and frequent check-ins just to make sure you were ok and to tell you that he loved you. 

Laz’s love for his family was immeasurable. He was especially proud of his two daughters, Cassie and Brianna, and his foster daughter, Lisa, whom he loved as his own. He showered them with love and tenderness, raising them to serve the Lord. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Crystal, whom he adored, and he embraced his role as a father figure to his step-daughter, Liliana. His leadership in their home was rooted in faith, humor, grace, and forgiveness, always guided by the Lord.

Laz was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Evangelista Dominguez Borges, His father, Juan Manuel Ruiz Martinez, his grandparents, Aurelio and Maria Luisa and Juan Antonio and Justa Gonzala, His half-brother, Juan Alberto Ruiz Romero, his half-sisters, Nereyda Lucia Ruiz Romero, and Lazara Caridad Ruiz Romero.

He is survived by his Wife, Crystal, his daughters, Cassie, Brianna, his step-daughter, Liliana Hill and his foster daughter, Lisa Gisiger, his half-sisters, Maria Nela Ruiz Romero, Maria De Los Angeles Ruiz Romero, and Norma Alicia Ruiz Romero, Nieces and Nephews, Adrian Lara Ruiz, Camilo Lara Ruiz, Jean Pierre Ruiz Romero, Sadita Cabrera Ruiz, Carlos Javier Cabrera Ruiz, Vianney Fajardo Ruiz, Marianela Ruiz, Maykel Negron Ruiz and Nayelis Torton Ruiz.

Laz's will be missed not only by his family, but by his dear friends,  Abe and Amy Fisher, Bishop Maurice Alexander, Phil and Shirley Willis, Tracy and Brad Ellis, Eric Thomas, Erica Virgin, Joseph Shields IV, Russel Scott, and Ken Buwalda, who led him to the Lord.

Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home & Crematory of Bogalusa, Louisiana is in charge of arrangements.