Jere J. Ruff

Memorial services for Jere J. Ruff, 73, of Longview, will be 2 p.m. today, September 17, 2009, at the First Christian Church with Dr. Richard Emerson and Dr. Jim Lewis officiating. Interment will follow in Memory Park. Jere went to be with his Savior Monday, September 14, 2009.

Jere was born December 26, 1935, in Longview, to Wilma Johnson Ruff and Glen Paxton Ruff. He was a 1953 graduate of Longview High School. In 1957, he received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Southern Methodist University where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After receiving his real estate broker's license, he joined his father at Ruff Realtors which was started in 1949.

After many years of work in the commercial real estate industry, Jere pursued a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation which is achieved by only six percent (6%) of the commercial real estate practitioners nationwide. He continued to oversee the operations of his company for over 45 years. In addition to his real estate business, Jere was a Vice President of the First State Bank of Hallsville. He was a member of the Bank's loan committee and a member of the Bank's Board of Directors. The Bank is managed by Jere's twin brother, Jon.

Civic participation was an important part of his life. He was a former board member of Juliette Fowler Homes in Dallas, a past Chairman of the Board of the Longview Christian Retirement Center and a Board Member of the National Benevolent Association of Christian Churches in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a former Board Member and Chairman of the Board of Longview Regional Medical center, a Board member and development council participant for the University of Texas at Tyler, Longview University Center, and a member of the Advisory Council for the Longview Museum of Fine Arts. Jere was appointed by Governor Bill Clements to the Board of Regents for the Texas State Technical College (TSTC) in 1987. He served as Chairman of the Board from 1994-1995.

He loved Longview, and was a past President of the Longview Partnership. While acting as President and Chamber Member, he appeared locally and in Austin to further the interest of better highways for Gregg County and the State of Texas. He received the President's Award from the Longview Partnership for faithful unselfish service and dedication to improving the quality of life for all citizens of Longview. He was also named outstanding committee chairman for his long-term service on the Transportation Committee. He received the Texas Highway Department Road Hand Award for "having proven ability and displayed stamina to toil long strenuous hours for Texas roads."

Jere was a lifetime member of the First Christian Church of Longview (Disciples of Christ), and 40-year member of the Community Bible Class led by Bible Scholar Dr. Kenneth Mc-Kinley.

Jere was an avid hunter and enjoyed travel and classical music. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52years, Martha Bateman Ruff. He was blessed with his sons, Jere J. Ruff Jr, Eric Glen Ruff and his wife, Lori, and their children, Lauren Camille, Juliana Paige, and Caroline Alexandra. He is also survived by his brother, Jon and his wife, Nancy; sisters, Sue Ann Cocke and Mary Laura Ruff; brother-in-law, Wayne Bateman; sister-in-law, Edith Bateman; and numerous nieces and nephews and friends.

The family is deeply grateful to his caregivers for their love and support, especially Carolyn Fisher, the staff at Hawkins Creek Memory Care, and Odyssey Hospice.

The family requests memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, P.O. Box 1950, Clarksburg, MD, 20871-1950, First Christian Church, Building Fund or a charity of your choice.