Kenneth Oscar Ruck

Kenneth Oscar Ruck (97), beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle, passed away on August 5, 2024. He was born in St. Louis County Missouri on April 9, 1927 to Oscar and Olga Ruck. He and his sisters, June and Laurabel, grew up on the family farm. He had so many fun stories of their early farm life. Upon graduation from Eureka high school, Ken enlisted in the Navy in 1945. Once the Navy found out he could type (a class he took thanks to a pretty teacher) he was assigned desk duty in Guam. After his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946 he went to work for Southwestern Bell in St. Louis.

Ken was set up with the love of his life, Carole Weber, at “Arts” a local hangout. The two were married in 1952 at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Manchester Missouri. They were the first couple to be married in the new church. He was active on the church council, the board of Christian education, the planning committee for the educational building, the men’s brotherhood and many more church activities. During this time, the couple had two children, Kimberlee and Michael. The following years saw them raising their family and Ken’s career took them from St. Louis to Beaumont and then Houston.

Ken retired after 40 years and only two missed days of work from Southwestern Bell and then continued to work contract engineering jobs for Bell/AT&T for the next 20 years. The couple enjoyed trips to Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. They also were able to hit 49 of the 50 states. Ken enjoyed time with his two grandkids and was an entertaining granddad. In 1994 Ken and Carole moved to the DFW area to be close to their grandchildren.

Ken was always busy and most often found outside. His vegetable garden seemed to get bigger each year and he delighted in giving veggies to friends and acquaintances. He volunteered at the library, the church resale shop, Ronald McDonald House and Martin Methodist Apple Core Sunday School class. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed many fine adventures in the great outdoors hunting the wily Whitetail deer. Always a devoted husband whose constant wish was, “give me one day longer than my Carole.” He loved his family fiercely.

Ken is survived by his wife of 72 years, Carole, his daughter Kimberlee Harris (Michael), his son Michael Ruck (Maryann), his granddaughter Amanda Beatty (Austin), his grandson Christopher Harris (Casey), his great grandchildren, Logan and Evie, his sister, June Mittler (Alan) and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial for Ken will be held Friday, August 30, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Martin United Methodist Church, 2621 Bedford Rd, Bedford, Texas 75021.