Vernon Roger Ruuska

Vernon is survived by his wife, Diana J. (Wagner) Ruuska of Lewisville, TX, children, Brian (Barbara); Brenda; Gregory (Kris); Jay (Dianne), 11 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and siblings, Darlene (Richard); Robert; David (Hazel); Ronald (Marie); Raymond (Kathy); and Dale (Lynn).

He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Elsa (Korby) Ruuska, and his brother, Marvin (Barbara) Ruuska.

Vernon was born October 1, 1936, in Republic, Michigan. He attended high school in Ishpeming, MI. In 1955 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served as an Air Policeman in Okinawa, Japan until 1958 when he moved to Minneapolis, MN, and met Diana. He moved to Milwaukee, WI in 1959 and started his career with the Mobil Oil Corporation, married Diana in 1960, and began raising their family in Oak Creek, WI. Career opportunities moved the family to Turnersville, NJ in 1974, then Richardson, TX in 1976. In 1981 he co-chaired a task force for Governor Clements on fiscal mismanagement for the State of Texas. He retired from Mobil in 1992 as an operations manager for the Southwest Computer Center.

Vernon and Diana were active members of "TexFinns" a chapter of Finlandia Foundation and were frequent participants in the Dallas College Richland Campus senior fitness program. In 2021, he and Diana received a certificate of appreciation from the City of Richardson's Chief of Police recognizing their 1,400 hours of volunteer Crime Watch Patrol.

Vernon loved to talk, golf, ski, listen to country music, frequent his favorite restaurants, and travel to visit family and friends. He was a devoted member of the Finnish Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church.

A funeral is scheduled at J.E. Foust & Son, 523 S Main St, Grapevine, TX on Friday, August 25, 2023, starting at 10:00 AM: Visitation, 11:00 AM: Funeral Service, 12:00 to 1:00 PM: Reception, 2:00 PM: Interment with Military Honors at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway Dallas, TX. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to these organizations would be appreciated: Finlandia Foundation National, 254 N. Lake Ave. #852, Pasadena, CA 91101; Richland Neighborhood Association (Crimewatch) P O Box 852636, Richardson, TX 75085; Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church, 6721 156th Ave, Bristol, WI 53104.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Inspired Living and Aspen Healthcare Services of Lewisville for their dedicated efforts and assistance.