A celebration of life service for Jack Ruth, age 77, of Brownwood, will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday at Victory Life Church under the direction of Heartland Funeral Home. Burial will take place prior to the service at 11:00 AM in Eastlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00.
James “Jack” Aaron Ruth was born in Brownwood on January 12, 1940, to Wesley Charles Ruth and Ruth Evelyn Ruth. Jack went home to be with the Lord on August 13, 2017.
Jack graduated from Brownwood High School and graduated in 1958. While attending Howard Payne College, he managed the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company that his father had founded.
In 1960, he married his best friend and the love of his life, Peggy Joyce Crow, who he adored, and affectionately referred to himself as Mr Peggy Joyce Ruth.
The highlight of Jack’s life was pastoring Living Word Church (now Victory Life Church) where he became a father to many and developed life-long friendships. He went on to establish a Christian school and radio station. He retired from pastoring in 2005, but not from the ministry. Jack has spent the last 12 years spreading the Good News of the Gospel, counseling and ministering to college students and providing marital counseling.
He enjoyed spending time on the ranch and taking on projects, one of which was the Old Yantis house on Main Street, and was always there to help others along with being a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Jack is survived by his wife of 57 years, Peggy Joyce Ruth; one daughter, Angelia Schum; one son, William Ruth, and loving grandchildren who he became their “Bumbie”; not to mention, numerous relatives, life-long friends and his church family who he loved dearly, and who loved him.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Victory Life Academy and Crosslines College Ministry.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Bo Allen, Robert Johnson, Dr. Henry McGowen, Joe McCluskey, Mike Welch, Herb Waits, Mitch Huser, Gene Reagan, David Patton, Wilson Smith, Steve Brandenburg and Tim Dees.
Condolences can be offered to the family online at heartlandfuneralhome.net