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TSTC News
Longview civic, business leader, former TSTC Board Chair, Jere Ruff, 73, dies
Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - Longview-News Journal, Mike Elswick |
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Funeral services for longtime Longview businessman and civic leader Jere Ruff, 73, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at First Christian Church.
Visitation for Ruff, who died Monday, will be 5 to 7 p.m. today at Rader Funeral Home.
Ruff served as president of the commercial real estate firm Ruff Realtors for many years. He is remembered for his influence on local transportation issues and education, and for helping pave the way for Longview's growth in the past 50 years, according to Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt.
"Jere Ruff was one class act," Stoudt said. "His heart was truly in this community — he really cared about it and was active in making things happen."
Stoudt said he worked with Ruff on a number of civic projects throughout the years.
"His work on transportation issues really helped pave the way for Longview's growth in the 1960s, '70s and '80s," Stoudt said.
Former Longview Mayor Lou Galosy said besides working with Ruff on a number of community projects over the years, he considered Ruff a good friend.
"Jere was one of those fellows who very quietly worked behind the scenes to do what was right for this community," Galosy said. He said Ruff was instrumental in working with then-state Sen. Bill Ratliff, R-Mount Pleasant, and others in getting the initial funding for the Longview University Center of the University of Texas at Tyler.
"He also served on the board of regents of Texas State Technical College in Waco and was instrumental in securing a branch of TSTC for East Texas in Marshall," Galosy said. "People really don't realize the impact he had on so many, many things."
Then Gov. Bill Clements appointed Ruff to the TSTC board in 1987. He also was a former member of LeTourneau University's board of trustees and served on the University of Texas at Tyler's presidential search committee in 1998.
Ruff entered the real estate business in Longview in 1959, according to published reports. He and his son, Eric Ruff, of Ruff Realtors handled the real estate transaction that paved the way for Highland Park Village in South Longview. Highland Park Village is a 144-unit apartment complex for people whose income is about 60 percent of the area median family income. He also was cited as being was instrumental in bringing Eden Place Apartments, a housing project for seniors, to Longview.
Ruff was a past president of the Longview Partnership and former transportation committee chairman for that organization and received the Texas Department of Transportation's 1974 Road Hand Award for people who are helpful to highway projects. He served on the board of directors of First State Bank board with offices in Hallsville and Longview.
Ruff also served on the board of Longview Christian Retirement Center and was a founding member of the National Benevolent Association of Christian Churches and was active and served on the board of elders of First Christian Church of Longview
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