Obituary of Jack Edwin Ruggs

Watch the Tribute Jack Edwin Ruggs December 21, 1929 - December 24, 2013 Memorial services for Jack Ruggs, 84, of Lovington, NM will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 11:00 am at First United Methodist Church with Pastors Ray Poskey and Dave Whitman officiating. He was born on December 21, 1929 in Blackwell, Oklahoma to John Edwin and Leona Mae (Nichols) Ruggs and passed away at his home on December 24, 2013. Being born during the economic depression of the 30’s, his family joined the cavalcade in relocating to California. He grew up in the San Joaquin Valley, often working in the vineyards, although his family had their own farm in this fertile valley. He was very athletic throughout his high school career and before completing High school, he had a bushel basket full of trophies, pins, ribbons and placques..…all attesting to his athletic prowess, and not in just one sport but in all competitive athletics. He also held the State High School record in the high jump that he set for more than twenty-five years. He was offered and accepted a football, as well as a track scholarship, at Fresno State College. He left college after his freshman year and returned to Oklahoma where he met his future wife, Cora Belle Shroff. The wedding took place in January of 1951 and only a month after that he joined the army and took his bride with him to Ft. Smith, AR. He was a “natural” in heavy weapons artillery so he was an instructor in the use of heavy artillery at Camp Chaffee. He was shipped out to Korea and his wife and baby daughter returned to Oklahoma. Jack was very proud of being a veteran and his service to his Country. After his discharge from the Army he came to Lovington in 1953 and started on a business career. He worked two years for his brother-in-law here in Lovington, learning about a business of this type and then worked a year in Hobbs. In 1956 he purchased Ole Jax’s and built it into a thriving business, keeping his whole family helping with the business through the years. Jack was a very active member of the community, serving as director of the Chamber of Commerce for several years, serving as City Commissioner for several years and was the first recipient of the “Wildcat Booster of the Year” award. He devoted much of his time to the youth and youth work and was well known for his interest in and support of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Rainbow Girls, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Demolays, Junior Oddfellows, Theta Rhos and the 4-H. Jack received the Harold Elliott Memorial Award for “Restauranteur of the Year” by the New Mexico Restaurant Association. He was the first Southeastern New Mexican to receive this award. He was the first State president of the NM Restaurant Assoc. from SE New Mexico and served on the board for ten years and retired as chairman of the board of Directors. Jack was an ambassador for the NM Amigos and traveled with Bruce King, Jerry Apadoca and Tony Anaya lobbying for minimum wages and insurance for small restaurant business and etc. His slogan of “Eat Out Often” and “We’re Proud to Serve You” went national. He was Citizen of the Year in 1972 and also served as mayor pro-tem. After retirement he went back to Oklahoma to help his brother harvest wheat and work cattle but he always said that “flipping burgers” was the best! He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and one brother Harold Joe Ruggs. Jack is survived by his three daughters: Jackie Ruggs of Lovington, NM; Connie McCoy of Fredrick, Delaware; and Shelly Madden of Albuquerque, NM; one brother: Max and wife Charlotte Ruggs of Blackwell, OK and one sister: Glenda Lee and husband Dan Priest of Lafayette, Georgia and five grandsons: Brian McCoy, Mark McCoy, Cameron McCoy, Trey Madden and Neil Madden. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to any of the Veterans support programs or to Roadrunner Food Bank, Lovington, NM 88260 Condolences may be sent to www.kirbysmithrogers.com.