Philip Ray Ruzicka

Philip Ray Ruzicka of Warsaw, Texas, died December 15th 2024 after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 82. Born January 14, 1942 in Dallas, Texas, to Joseph and Emma Ruzicka, “Zeke” was a retired Dallas Firefighter, amateur farmer, pilot, and lover of crossword puzzles. He was an Eagle Scout, a graduate of the inaugural class of WW Samuell (1960) and spent much of his high school days making sure his colonial cream 1957 Chevy was the sharpest machine running in Urbandale. He spent two years at then North Texas State University in Denton before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin where he was active in the Delta Upsilon fraternity and met the former Margie Carr, who would later become the love of his life. Post-graduation, Phil joined the United States Air Force in 1966, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant in less than 4 years and serving as a hydraulic mechanic for F-105 Thunderchiefs and as a rescue crewman on the HH-43B Huskie helicopter in SE Asia. During his Vietnam service, he was recognized for rescuing two downed F-4 Phantom aircrew as well as earning a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Upon discharge, Phil returned to Dallas where he and Margie married in 1971. He joined the Dallas Fire Department (DFD), serving 30 years until his retirement as Captain of #3 Fire Station in 2001. In 1981, the family moved to Warsaw in rural Kaufman County where Phil built the current family farm house.

Phil was a lover of classic cars, restoring a 1956 T-Bird he acquired in lieu of payment for hauling hay during his time at Air Force tech school in Wichita, Kansas. He also acquired numerous other classics, including antique farm tractors and a variety of machines that would have made him a star on American Pickers. In later years, he enjoyed watching grandchildren’s activities from sporting events to art shows, recalling tall tales from his time with DFD, and playing poker with a number of friends from his high school and fire department days. He was quick witted, had a knack for writing Op-Eds to the Dallas Morning News (and Times Herald), loved watching his Longhorns and reading sports columnist Blackie Sherrod. A true patriot and Texan at heart, Phil is preceded in death by his parents and sister Helene Ruzicka Hall and is survived by his wife of 53 years Margie, sons Joe (Beth, Emma, AJ) and John (Danielle, Will, Phoebe) and daughter Katy (grand dog CL) plus numerous extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests making a donation to the charity of your choice (or just save the money like Phil would).