Dr. Walter Thomas “Tommy” Rueff, 71, of Jackson, passed away on Wednesday, November 19, 2014, surrounded by his family, and supported by numerous friends and colleagues at Baptist Hospital – a place where he himself worked for many years.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday Nov. 21, 2014 at 11:00am at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral. Visitation will be from 10:00am till 11:00am at the church.
Born in McComb, Mississippi in 1943, Tommy was the son of Charles Rueff, a conductor for Illinois Central Railroad, and Allie Rueff, a nurse. He graduated from Millsaps College where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. He attended medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center where he trained under James D. Hardy, specializing in general, thoracic, and cardiovascular surgery. After medical school, Tommy founded Central Surgical Associates with Dr. Karl Stauss, where he practiced surgery for more than 25 years.
During his medical internship, Tommy met his wife, Ann, who was working as a nurse at UMC. They married in 1982 and had two sons, T. and Andrew. Tommy loved collecting antiques, fountain pens, books, and pocket knives. He traveled extensively, but was most at home driving his tractor at his farm in Terry, Mississippi.
Tommy was predeceased by his brother, Charles Rueff Jr. Tommy is survived by his wife, Ann, as well as his two sons, Walter Thomas “T.” Rueff Jr. and Michael Andrew Rueff, and his two daughters in law, Frannie Wesberry Rueff and Elise Smyth-Gilbert. He also leaves behind his beloved black lab “Buddy,” and countless friends, colleagues, patients, and others whom he loved and who loved him dearly.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the University Medical Center or to St. Andrew’s Cathedral.
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