Ruben Toscano Gudino, age 84, of Benton, AR, passed away on Friday, December 6, 2024. He was born March 7, 1940 in Los Fresnos, Texas. The third of eight children, he was a proud father of eight beautiful children, whom he loved and cherished with all his heart. He had so much wisdom, joy, and love to share with them and made sure to express how much he loved them every chance he got. His children were his greatest accomplishment in life, and he often shared their accomplishments with anyone who would listen.

As a child, Ruben would gather spare parts and build radios and televisions to sell and help provide for his family. He became a television engineer at 18 with Curtis Mathis, which eventually led him to move to Benton, AR.

Ruben believed that education and hard work were life's greatest assets. He wanted his children to have the best life had to offer and worked tirelessly to provide for them. He was famously known in Benton as the "TV man." An expert repair technician, Ruben could build, rebuild, or fix almost anything. He opened Gudino's TV Repair in Benton in the 1960's, along with several other businesses. His businesses thrived for decades until he retired.

All his children grew up in his "shop," sitting beside him, watching him solder circuit boards as he talked about life and how we can make a difference in the world. As his children grew older, all it took was a five-minute phone call for him to check in, say "I love you," express how proud he was of them, and offer inspiring words to keep them motivated.

Ruben always sought to inspire love and joy in those around him. He had an extraordinary ability to find the positive in any situation. A natural problem-solver and intellectual, he saw the world as a beautiful place full of opportunity. He inspired his children daily to love deeply, make a difference, and pass on these values to their own children.  He was a wonderful father, full of hugs and laughter, and he will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his; children, Becky Gudino, William Gudino, and wife Shirley, Raquel Gudino, Roberto Gudino and wife Amy, Patricia Bono, and husband Tubby, John Paul Gudino, and wife Misty, and Jessica Gudino Willis, and husband James; and their mother Jane Williams; siblings, Enriqueta Coronado Gudino, Raquel de Leon Gudino; Grandchildren, Christopher Rouse, Reggie Castro Jr., Luke Gudino, Taylor Jacobs, Raven Gudino, Haylee Burkeens, Jordan Harrington, Simon Gudino, Jack Yates, Sara Yates, Mia Gudino, Ethan Gudino, Issac Gudino, and John Willis. Great Grandchildren, Reggie Castro III, Camryn and Graycen Jacobs; Ryker Gudino and Charlee Hunt; Payslee and Kane Kiestler, and Addilee Burkeens; Nieces and Nephews, Louis Coronado II, Enrique Coronado, Monica Ramirez Coronado, Arthur Coronado, Carlos Coronado, Reuben Coronado, Debbie Lewis, Jude Engle, Cristina Salazar, David Salazar, Adrian Gudino, Baltazar Gudino Jr., Estella B. Kohlmeier, Rosa Linda Gilbreath, Veronica Aguirre, Patricia Aguirre, Beatrice Aguirre, Laura Aguirre, Barbara Aguirre, Brenda Aguirre, Theresa McKinley Gudino, Sandra Maxon Gudino, and John Christopher Gudino.

Ruben was preceded in death by his son; Ruben Toscano Gudino Jr.; parents, Jesus Gudino and Remedios Maria Gudino; brothers; Guillermo Gudino and Baltazaar T. Gudino; sisters, Francisca Salazar Gudino and Maria J. Gudino; and nephew, Gabrielle Salazar, Juan Miguel Aguirre.

Visitation will be at Ashby's Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 10 from 6-8pm, and funeral services will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Benton, AR on Wednesday, December 11 at 10:30am.