James D. Ruffner MD

RUFFNER, M.D., James D., a long- time resident of Miamisburg, Ohio, was born in Irvine, Kentucky in July 1930. He left this earth at the age of 85 on December 20, 2015. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter and son; sister, Priscilla, mother Edith and father A.G. Ruffner. He is survived by his wife Martha, sons James David Ruffner II (Kathy) and Stephen R. Ruffner; grandson, James David Ruffner III (his namesake); granddaughters Haley and Lydia Ruffner; sister Maxine McCollum; brothers-in-law, Richard Rose (Sue) and Stephen Rose (Diane). Jim completed his undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt and Eastern Kentucky Universities, graduating with high honors. He graduated from the School of Medicine at the University of Louisville where he was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. As a physician, he practiced for over 50 years in various positions and touched thousands of lives.

-Interned at Saint Elizabeth Hospital, Dayton, Ohio. After his internship, went into private practice in Miamisburg, Ohio.

-Left private practice to serve as a Captain in the U.S. Army for 2 years as Medical Director at Rock Island Arsenal where the Governor of Illinois formally commended him for his civic contributions.

-After the Army, returned to private practice in Miamisburg, Ohio, became Medical Director at the Mound Laboratory and served as Chief of Staff at Kettering Memorial Hospital.

-After retiring from private practice, held medical director positions at Kettering Worker’s Care, Navistar in Springfield, Ohio and Delphi in Moraine, Ohio. Jim served his local community in numerous ways including being a long-time member of the Board of Directors at Farmers and Merchants Bank. Jim shared his medical expertise by devoting thousands of hours in various volunteer and non-paid positions. He was the team doctor for Miamisburg High School Football Team; Physician for Miamisburg Rotary Club Exchange Students; Member of Board of Directors and Chair of the Ethics Committee at Kettering Memorial Hospital; and a Member of the Montgomery County Medical Society and Chair of its Ethics Committee. As a physician and healer, Jim touched many lives in many positive ways. A true Renaissance man, Jim had a wide variety of interests and accomplishments. He was a private pilot, expert marksman, hunter, fisherman, scuba diver, outdoorsman, photographer, and story-teller extraordinaire. There was no one who could tell a joke better than Jim. Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and son who had a long and distinguished career as a physician and a humanitarian. Without exception, when his help was needed he always gave it. His colleagues often referred to him as a “prince of a man.” He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. Donations may be made to the Hospice of Dayton 324 Wilmington Ave. Dayton, Ohio 45420 in memory of James D. Ruffner, M.D. Family will receive friends at the TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME-Far Hills Chapel Saturday, December 26, 2015 from 12:00 noon until time of funeral service at 2:00PM. Burial will be in the Richmond Cemetery, Richmond, Kentucky.