James Artimus Ruffin Jr.

COLUMBIA - LTC James “Jim” A. Ruffin Jr., U.S. Army (Ret.), died Tuesday, October 21, 2014 following a long illness. Born July 18, 1927, in Somerset, Kentucky, he was the son of the late James A. Ruffin Sr. and Gertrude Elliott Ruffin. Jim entered the U.S. Navy in June 1945 and served as a Pharmacy Mate 3rd Class. He was discharged in January 1947. He joined the U.S. Army in November 1948 and attended the Adjutant General School at Fort Lee, Virginia. He reported to Fort Ord, California with duty in the 4th Infantry Division. Jim later transferred to the Armored Calvary and deployed to the Republic of Korea with the 73rd Heavy Tank Battalion. He was part of the landings at Inchon attached to the 8th U.S. Army was would go on to see action at Hungnam (10-24 December 1950) covering the withdrawal of American Forces. Jim later attended Rotary Wing Flight Training and was rated in the UH-1D, Huey. He served in the Republic of Vietnam with the 1st Calvary Division (Air Mobil) from 1968-1969. In 1970, he retired from active duty at Fort Stewart, Georgia. His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, the Purple Heart for combat injuries and the Senior Army Aviator Badge. Jim was active in Masonic bodies. He was made a Master Mason at the Ben Franklin Lodge # 16 in Orleans, France. He was a member of the Scottish Rites Bodies, Valley of Columbus, Orient of Georgia. Jim was very active with the National Sojourners (Fort Jackson Chapter # 184) where he served as the Chapter President and long-standing Secretary-Treasurer. He also served as the Commander of the Hero’s of ’76 (General Mordecai Gist Camp). He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Johnson Ruffin; son, Eric Mayer Ruffin; stepson, Alexis P. Lecouras. A graveside service with full military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 7, 2014, in Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to Sister Care.