James Edward Ruff

James Edward “Ed” Ruff, M.D. of Dallas, Texas, passed away September 7, 2016 following a brief illness. He was born July 14, 1936 in Jackson, MS. He was preceded in death by his parents, Will and Katie Ruff.

He is survived by his wife Sue, daughters Rowena Ruff of Lexington, KY, Holly Ruff of Edwardsville, IL, Kathryn Ruff Hildreth (Tom) of Hollis, NH, grandsons Rowen and Raymond Hildreth, and his sister Rachel Winkel (Bernie). He is also survived by stepsons Larry Talley, Jr. (Ellen), Carter King ( Elizabeth) of Dallas, step grandsons Charlie Hildreth, Larry, Logan, Ashten, Hayden and Jackson Talley, and step granddaughters, Caroline Hildreth, Daisy and Haley Talley, Catherine and Lauren King, sister-in-law Dinah Hart (Bill) and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ed was a graduate of Gulfport High School, Vanderbilt University and the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. Following medical school, he was commissioned Captain, USAF, and served as a general medical officer at Rhein-Main Air Force Base, West Germany. He later completed psychiatric training and was a practicing, board certified psychiatrist until the time of his death.

Ed was a true Southern gentleman, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, Texas, where a Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, September 27 at 3:30 pm in the chapel. A Graveside Service will follow on Saturday, October 1 at 2:00 pm with the Reverend Bronson Bryant officiating at Southern Memorial Gardens in Biloxi, MS.

The following tribute was written by Kathryn Ruff Hildreth:

James Edward (Ed) Ruff, II, M.D. died on September 7, 2016, in Dallas, Texas, following a brief illness. Ed was born to Katie Ruth Watkins Ruff and Will Childress Ruff on July 14, 1936, in Jackson. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1958, cum laude, with a degree in organic chemistry. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, where he earned the nickname Easy Ed for his calm and easy-going demeanor.

For many summers during his youth, Ed also spent time in Quitman, Mississippi, with his grandparents, Dr. Horace Clement Watkins, Sr., and Rachel Fatheree Watkins, both of whom operated what eventually became Watkins Memorial Hospital. Young Ed often tagged along with his grandfather, known affectionately as “Dr. Sr.”, while he was seeing patients. He observed Dr. Watkins as he performed various surgical procedures, many of which remained vivid in his memory his entire life. From these early experiences, Ed never wavered from pursuing a career in medicine.

Upon graduation from Vanderbilt, Ed attended the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. In 1960, he married Rowena McClinton, of Jackson. Ed completed his medical internship at San Francisco General Hospital. From 1963-1966, Ed was commissioned Captain USAF, and he served as a general medical officer at Rhein-Main Air Force Base in Frankfurt, West Germany. He later completed psychiatric training and was a board-certified psychiatrist, maintaining a private practice in Jackson with offices at St. Dominic Hospital medical building from 1969-1993.

During his career in Jackson, Ed was member of the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the Southern Psychiatric Association. He served as president of the Mississippi Psychiatric Association. Ed was the founder and first president of the Mississippi Ski Club. He was an active member of Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church. Ed also had many interests and hobbies, including skiing, canoeing, running, fishing and hunting. Perhaps his most beloved pastime was cheering for Vanderbilt sports teams, which he followed with both intellectual rigor and boyish enthusiasm.

Ed had three daughters, Rowena, Holly and Kathryn. When they were young Ed took the girls out every Sunday for joy rides in his Austin Healy, a tiny two-door convertible. Ed often took the girls to places for fun and indulgence, including Seale Lilly Ice Cream parlor, the Tote-Sum and an amusement park featuring a super slide. In these settings and throughout his life, Ed was an ever patient, listening and supportive presence to his children.

In 1991 Ed moved to Pass Christian, Mississippi, with his wife Sue of Texarkana, Texas. While on the coast, Ed was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. He worked at the Veteran’s Association hospital and in private practice before joining the staff of Memorial Hospital at Gulfport as Director of Behavioral Health. Ed retired in 2005.

In the last 10 years of his life, Ed and Sue maintained a permanent residence in Dallas, Texas, while also joining hospital staffs in need of interim psychiatrists across the country. Ed worked in numerous settings from Oregon to Maine, continually gaining respect for his professionalism, his work ethic, his sensitivity and his kindness. Most recently, Ed was living in Caro, Michigan, where he worked until he fell ill.

In addition to his wife Sue, Ed Ruff is survived by a sister, Rachel Ruff Winkel and her husband Bernie of Clarksdale, Mississippi; daughters Rowena York Ruff of Lexington, Kentucky; Holly Watkins Ruff of Edwardsville, Illinois; and Kathryn Edward Ruff Hildreth and her husband Thomas of Hollis, New Hampshire. He is also survived by two stepsons: Larry C. Talley and his wife Ellen, of Dallas, Texas, and Carter A. King and his wife Elizabeth, also of Dallas. Ed also leaves behind two grandchildren and eleven step grandchildren, all of whom will miss him dearly.

Graveside services will be held at Southern Memorial Park Cemetery in Biloxi on Saturday, October 1 at 2pm.