Gone too soon, Ruben Charles Smoots passed on September 12, 2026. Ruben will be forever known as a loving, supportive, humble, and good-hearted person with a free-spirited soul. Our beloved Ruben was born on June 21, 1965, in Denver, CO, to Ruby Smoots and Thomas Graham (Deceased), Alabama. 

After his birth in Denver, CO, he and his mother moved to El Paso, TX, to live for a brief time. He soon returned with his mother to Denver before traveling to California when he was 5 years old after the birth of his sister Chay. Ruben had the opportunity to visit El Paso in the summers, and he enjoyed his grandmother, step-grandfather, and uncles: Jr. (also known as Do Little), Kenneth, and Glen., and aunts Linda and Darlene. He often explored the neighborhood and enjoyed playing in the field and canals nearby. He always talked about walking in the canal. He was a happy child, always on the go, and loved swimming, playing sports, and hanging out with his friends and cousins. Ruby and her family moved to California when Ruben was 5 years old and returned to Denver at the age of 14. He attended public schools in North Hollywood, CA and George Washington High School in Denver. He worked at the airport after school before starting a career at PBS Paper Company. Ruben enjoyed fishing and handyman work, including painting, repairs, upholstery, and yard work. He was a die-hard sports fan but truly enjoyed being a Bronco fan, watching every game with the hopes of a win. Ruben enjoyed a good meal for the game, and he loved preparing smoked chicken and ribs.

His smile lit up the room, and his calm laughter was subtle and memorable. When he greeted you, he always expressed his joy in seeing you and his deep love for you.

The young Ruben loved animals; he and his sister Chay (Chandra) would bring every animal home on the weekend from school to care for over the weekend. Their favorite pretend vet project would be attempting to hatch chickens in a portable incubator. Together, Ruben and Chay has had several pets which included a snake, a white rat, hamsters, and a dog and many other “strays” they tried to convince their mother to keep. Eventually Ruben became interested in fishing & went on his first fishing trip at age eight. Ruben caught a small fish. He was so excited. I cooked the fish as an additional meat, and then we ate it for dinner (each of us enjoyed our delicious bite). He loved being with his many cousins, and his aunts Rosetta Williams and Dorothy Samuels; they were his bonus mothers (in our family the kids were raised in a village and it served us well).

Ruben enjoyed being with his kids, Ruben Jr., Chloe and stepson Omar, going fishing, and playing in the snow. He loved all things which brought him joy and his family.

Ruben is survived by his mother Ruby Smoots-Harris; his sons, Ruben Smoots Jr. and Omar Bunch; his daughter, Chloe Smoots. His sisters Chandra Venrick (Chris), Brigett Smith, and Zina Townsend; his brothers Reginald Cox Thomas Graham Jr., Cedric Graham, Michael Baker, and Sandra Graham (stepmother married to his deceased father Thomas Graham). Uncles: Kenneth Smoots, Kenneth Adams (Sharon), Glen Adams (Terrie); aunties: Linda Campbell and Dorothy J. Fielder; and a host of cousins and friends.

Our beloved son, brother, father and loved one Ruben entered eternal rest with his companion Tarika Collins on September 12, 2026.

Hold his spirit, memory and joy in your heart for all time.