Jerry Lee Ruby, 84, longtime resident of Wheelersburg, Ohio, successfully completed his earthly race and received the promise of eternal life with Jesus Christ his Lord and Savior while surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday morning, September 16, 2025.
Jerry entered this world on May 28, 1941, the first-born, and only son, to the late Clifford “Pete” and Elsie (Roffe) Ruby. Born into a post-depression era family, young Jerry’s first home, located in Tuttleville; just outside Minford, Ohio, was a renovated chicken house from his Grandpa Roffe’s farm. Jerry never forgot his humble beginnings and they would serve as the roots for his accomplishments as he journeyed through his life.
Jerry graduated from Minford High School, class of 1959. He loved athletics, something he would get to continually be surrounded by through his family’s long-lasting athletic accomplishments from his children all the way through his great-grandchildren. Jerry excelled in track and would develop a lifelong love for running. Though he wasn’t able to play football, as the season didn’t begin until the fall after his graduation, he loved to tell the story, and of course show from his yearbook, that he was selected to model the new uniforms to the entire student body his senior year! Jerry kept in close contact with his lifelong high school friends and they had a permanent positive impact in his life. Jerry valued personal relationships as a virtue of this earthly life.
While riding to school on Ossie Montgomery’s school bus, young Jerry, just 1st grade, decided to give Ossie’s daughter, Rita Kay, a kiss. He was quickly moved to the front of the bus, but that moment is where the life-long love story begins. Jerry reminded his family that it was that moment that he fell in love with the woman he wanted to marry. They did just that. On June 18, 1960, Jerry Lee Ruby married Rita Kay Montgomery at the Methodist church in Minford. This union would be the greatest gift in Jerry’s earthly life. Together, Jerry and Rita would have four children; Scott (Jodi) Ruby, Todd (Theresa) Ruby of Wheelersburg; Debbie Ruby of Cincinnati, and Pete Ruby of Chillicothe, nine grandchildren; Corey (Nicole) Ruby of Oak Hill, Mandi (Michael) Parshall of Cincinnati, Andrew (Cherokee) Ruby of Wheelersburg, Sadie (Ethan) Butcher of Minford, Elijah (Makayla) Ruby of Stout, Ellie (Sam) Swanger of Minford, Hunter Ruby of Wheelersburg, Lane Ruby and Reagan Ruby both of Chillicothe, eleven great-grandchildren; Mason, Parker, Evan Ruby, Liam and Audrey Parshall, Isabella, Jack, William Butcher, Beau and Brennley Ruby, and Sutton Ruby. These people were Jerry’s greatest blessings and he was never ashamed to let folks know.
Following graduation from Minford High, Jerry enlisted in the United States Army. Jerry was a patriot. He loved his country and was proud to have been able to serve. It was the Army where Jerry would learn the skill of finance. Following the Army, Jerry would use the G.I. Bill to achieve a college education, and earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Ohio University. While working full time as Vice-President of Civic Savings and Loan, Jerry would commute to Morehead State University and take night classes earning his MBA. This degree led him to be able to achieve what he would consider his most favorite job, Professor of Finance at Shawnee State University. Jerry would spend nearly 25 years at SSU impacting thousands of lives through education before retiring at age 72.
Jerry was an avid outdoorsman who loved to spend time afield with his family and friends. This love for hunting began as a young boy hunting squirrel and rabbit with his dad. He loved to share the story of killing 6 squirrels under a hickory tree with his .410 single shot, getting them cleaned at home, and still making it to school on time! In his adult years, Jerry developed a passion for whitetail deer hunting, especially archery. He built a bow shop in his garage and was an absolute terrific marksman and archer. Jerry loved to bird hunt, specifically ruffed grouse and pheasant behind his English Setter, Duke. The great outdoors was a place where Jerry would escape the business of life and relax.
A man of many talents and accomplishments, Jerry Ruby lived life to its fullest. However, his greatest decision he ever made was giving his life to Jesus Christ as a young man. Jerry was never scared or ashamed to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jerry would serve as the spiritual leader to his entire family. He would provide spiritual council to his friends, co-workers, or anyone willing to listen. Jerry believed in being actively involved in your local church and enjoyed working with the youth as his children were growing up. If you are not saved, Jerry would encourage you to give your life to Christ today.
Jerry leaves behind a legacy that his family has promised to keep and uphold. In addition to his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, he is survived by his sister, Teresa (Ruby) Claxon of Florida, brother-in-law Danny Gilbert of Circleville, brother-in-law George Kaut of Akron, childhood best friend Dave (Alice) Marcum of Chattanooga, TN, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.
In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his sister, Janet (Ruby) Holcomb of Florida, father and mother-in-law Ossie and Clara Montgomery, sisters-in-law Marilyn Kaut and Dorothy Gilbert, and brothers-in-law Ernie Claxon and Jim Holcomb.
Funeral services will be conducted at Erwin-Dodson- Allen Funeral Home on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior. Pastor Brett McGraw will be officiating. Internment with full military honors will follow at Memorial Burial Park in Wheelersburg. The family would like to welcome friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 19 at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to www.edafh.com.
Jerry’s final testimony can be remembered simply as the Scripture states in II Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing
