He was a demanding judge who required meticulous preparation from lawyers, held fellow judges to high ethical standards, and pushed innovations in the judicial system to improve life for the most vulnerable in his community.

On a day that Lubbock County lowered its flags to half-staff to honor 72nd District Judge Ruben Reyes, who died Dec. 12 of COVID-19, lawyers and judges are saying that Reyes leaves a legacy of improving his community, the state of Texas and the nation. They miss him and expressed how hard that Reyes would be to replace in their community.