Ruth Darlene Head

Ruth Darlene Head

August 10, 1934 – July 3, 2026

A Life Well Loved

Ruth Darlene Fugate, 91, born August 10, 1934 in Pomona, Missouri, lived a life that left the world brighter than she found it. Darlene was gentle, patient, joyful, kind, funny, and wonderfully down to earth — the kind of person who made everyone feel at home. She put her family first in everything she did, and her love showed up in countless ways: in her cooking, her laughter, her holiday gatherings, her stories, her singing, her modeling, her love for animals, and her deep appreciation for country music and a good book.

A dedicated bookkeeper by trade, Darlene worked hard her entire life to support and uplift her family. She was a beautiful soul inside and out, known affectionately as “Dar Dar” to friends and Mom, Nana, and Grandma to the family who adored her. After moving to Phoenix, Arizona in 1971, she built a life full of love, humor, and unforgettable moments. Darlene passed away on July 3, 2026, and though her absence is felt deeply, her spirit remains woven into the hearts of everyone she touched.

She is preceded in death by her husband Tom, her children Clinton, Regina, and Janet, and her grandchildren Melissa, Tom, Chuck, and Phillipe “Buddy.”

She leaves behind her sisters Joyce, Pat, and Donna; her children Vickie, Debbie, Tom, and Roxie; and a large, loving family of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren who meant the world to her. Her legacy is joy, resilience, and love —

Darlene's spirit lives on in every meal shared, every story told, every holiday celebrated, and every moment of kindness passed forward. She will be missed dearly, remembered always, and honored forever.

May she rest in peace, and may her memory continue to shine.