Donald N. Ruff

On Friday, 12 November, our dad, Donald Ruff Sr, born 15 February 1924, lost his fight with gravity at age 97. He collapsed in the dining room of his Independent Living facility at lunch time, and died at Bay Area hospital at 1:05 pm. As typical of my dad, he did not wait around, but wanted to get on with things.

He and my mom had 6 children and raised 5 of them to adulthood, or at least past the age of 21. Not sure all of us qualify as adults.

As a father, the best thing he did for his kids was to marry our mom, and to love and respect her. He did his best to make sure we went to the best schools he could afford and to make sure we turned out to be decent citizens.

He lived life pretty much on his own terms, and stayed true to his values throughout his life. He and my mom traveled the world after he retired. They had been to 35 countries, they saw the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids in Egypt, and the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. At age 85, he indulged himself with a red Corvette, which he was often seen driving around Port Aransas.

He loved his family and knew that his family loved him. Even though he was in an independent living facility, he was often visited by his daughters, grandchildren, and oldest son; he never felt abandoned. Barbara was with him when he died.

He and my mother had a good life. He wanted no tears or grieving when he died; he would have liked to have a New Orleans Style wake. When you think of him, don't cry, have a drink of your choice, and share your favorite story about him. If you knew him, you had one.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Jean (Kelly), daughter Elizabeth Duvall, and daughter Vicki Lynn Ruff.

He is survived by his daughters Sandra Clark, and Barbara Culp, both of Port Aransas, Texas, and sons Donald Ruff Jr and Richard Ruff, 6 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FunerariaDelAngelMHolly.com for the RUFF family.