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Nick Ruiz, born August 6, 1940, at DeMoss Clinic in Lordsburg to Pete & Aurora Ruiz. The 4th child out of 5 with 1 sister and 3 brothers.
Itarted school at the elementary level and proceeded to the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grades at the Wilson School on ‘B’ Street at the Barrio of Chinatown, Lordsburg. I played sports with the basketball team, called the Wilson School Wildcats, who won the District Championship.
I proceeded to go to school at the junior high, then on to high school in Lordsburg. I played sports and Lordsburg freshman basketball team won the district championship. I played in football, basketball and track. In track, I broke the record in the pole vault, which was owned by Don McCalister Jr. at 11’6”. I also won a 3rd place medal at state.
After graduation, I joined the United States Air Force and transferred to Dow AFB in Bangor, Maine, after basic training at Lackland AFB. I later transferred to Ailson AFB in Alaska.
After my tour of duty, I went to California to work and there married Coral Nelson, from England, and had three children, Cynthia, Nick Jr. and Christina. I worked with the City of Newport Beach for 5 years. After a divorce I returned to Lordsburg to work for Phelps Dodge for 32 years. I retired at age 62 and now volunteer at Sunshine Haven Nursing Home and serve as director of the 4th of July Firecracker Run, which I have been doing for the past five years.
I have traveled to Germany, Quebec, Canada and have seen all four corners of the United States, with the exception of Florida.
