Ken C. Ruby's Obituary
KEN CASTLE RUBY, 79, of Memphis, passed away on Monday, July 8, 2019 after a short illness. Throughout his life, Ken was a supportive husband, brother, uncle, and friend who prioritized faith and family.Ken was born October 2, 1939 in Memphis at Baptist Hospital to his parents, James S. “Pete” Ruby Sr. and Julia Maggie Castle Ruby, who have preceded him in death. Ken attended Memphis Central High School, and played drums in the band, graduating in the class of 1957. He graduated from Memphis State University with a bachelor of science degree in geography in 1961, and was a member of Kappa Alpha Order and the Memphis State University marching band.His first job after college was at Union Planters National Bank in various administrative and managerial positions. He retired from the Shelby County School system in 2005 as a buyer. He married Susan Marie Spence in 1968 at Springdale Methodist Church, Memphis. They attended Bellevue Baptist Church since the 1970s and were members of the Sunday school class there. After retirement, he acquired an interest in calligraphy, and maintained an archive of the Sunday school class by notifying members of birthdays and anniversaries with a biblical verse noted somewhere on the card.Ken had always been interested in fitness and cars. His family remembers his focus on bodybuilding and endurance as a young man, and through middle age he was still competitive, completing six marathons over his lifetime. Ken always prized classic vehicles and kept them in pristine showroom form. Some of his favorites were an early 1960’s Mustang and his most recent, a Ford 1980s truck in better-than-new condition.Ken will be remembered as a steady and fun loving family man with quiet strength and a kind word and positive expression. In addition to his wife Susan and brother Pete, Ken is survived by nieces Julia Michele Ruby Eason (and husband James Eason) of Memphis, and Sylvia Lynne Ruby Imm (and husband Tim Imm), of San Diego, California; great nephews Jacob Burton and James “Chip” Eason of Memphis, and great niece Taylor Burton of Brooklyn, New York.Funeral services will be provided by Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119. Visitation will be Friday, July 12 at 10:15 am with graveside services immediately following at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, friends may make a memorial donation to the charity or organization of their choice.Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 (901) 767-8930. “A Fitting Farewell for Everyone”.
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