Rufus Delmar Ornduff

Rufus was born and raised in Elizabethton, Tennessee. He enlisted as a Private in the United States Army in 1948 and later served in the United States Navy from 1950 to 1955 as a Petty Officer First Class in the Korean war. He was a proud veteran and often wore his U.S. Navy hat. He also attended the reunions with his shipmates from the USS John R. Pierce 753.

After serving in the Navy, Rufus worked at Ford Motor Company in Cleveland, Ohio for many years, where he met and married his beautiful bride, Barbara. He survived his first bout with cancer, and then moved to West Columbia in 1972 where he and Barbara founded Rufus Ornduff Refrigeration. He was active in the business until 2019, when cancer forced his retirement at the age of 86. His work ethic and knowledge of Commercial Refrigeration is unmatched. His legacy lives on through his son John, who learned so much from his dad, and is running the business today.

Rufus was the kindest and most humble man many have ever known. He was above all else a man of deep Faith and his family was the most important thing to him. He loved his son and grandchildren profusely, never missed an event they were participating in and was the most generous grandfather with gifts, knowledge, and most importantly, his time. Even though he was in pain, he danced at his granddaughter Kimberly’s wedding with a big smile on his face. He always put others first and had the most positive, happy disposition and never ever complained. He truly had a heart of gold.

Rufus was lucky enough to find love again later in life with Clara Edwards. Rufus and Clara were committed life partners for over 12 years. We are eternally grateful for the love Clara brought into his life and the tremendous care she provided him, and was by his side when he drew his last breath. We are also so grateful for the joy that Clara’s grandson, Kaiden Spires, whom Rufus loved as his own, brought him every single day. Rufus was so proud of Kaiden’s achievements and what a wonderful boy he is and the fine man he will grow up to be.

Rufus was preceded in death by his beloved wife of over 40 years, Barbara (Fortner) Ornduff, his wonderful parents, John B. and Winnie (Cress) Ornduff, six sisters and two brothers.

Rufus is survived by his son, John Ornduff and daughter-in-law, Nancy Ornduff of Lexington; grandson Sean Ornduff of Columbia; granddaughter Kimberly (Ornduff) Buechel and her husband Bob of Columbia; brother Gilbert Ornduff of Elizabethton, TN; four sisters, Mariea Ward of Shady Valley TN; Olga Rice of Ellenboro, NC; Sharon Holmes and her husband David of Elizabethton, TN; Erma Nidiffer of Elizabethton, TN; many nieces and nephews and beloved friends.

The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at Heart of Hospice, for the compassionate care they provided for Rufus.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Thursday, August 29, 2024 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, 820 W. Dunbar Rd. West Columbia. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Southland Memorial Gardens.