Mr. James E. Ruth

RUTH, JAMES E., RET - of Rockledge, Florida, formerly of Knoxville, Tennessee, entered into his eternal rest with the Lord on Sunday, September 8, 2013, at Huntington Center. He is preceded in death by parents, Herman Jess and Irene Ruth; spouse, Eddie Marie Ruth; and son, James E. Ruth 2nd; brothers, Herman Jack Ruth and William Charles Ruth; and niece, Rebecca Ruth. James is survived by daughter, Tonja E. Sweat; grandchildren, Neal Sweat and Samantha Sweat (Mariano), Carrie Jeffries (Daniel); and several great grandchildren. Born on February 26th, 1932, in Knox County, Tennessee, he spent childhood in a community named Bearden. In 1950 he graduated from Bearden High School and attended two years of tech school and became a TV and radio engineer. James worked with famous Tennessee Vol sportscaster John Ward on his first sportscast. Later he married, Eddie Marie Stevens, who later bore him two children named James E. Ruth 2nd and Tonja E. Ruth. He joined the Tennessee National Guard and worked as a radar mechanic for three years. After leaving the job with the National Guard he started working for RCA and moved to Cape Canaveral, Florida, where he worked as a range safety technician in 1965. James left Florida, moving to Brevard, North Carolina, where he worked for Bendix as an operations controller. In 1974 he moved back to Knoxville and worked for a small company as night shift manager. It was then that his son, James R. Ruth 2nd, was killed in a motorcycle accident. The small company folded and he moved back to Florida in 1977. Where he enlisted with the 325th Maintenance Company in Lake Wales. James worked as a frequency control analysis technician and was involved in many missiles and shuttle launches at Kennedy Space Center. On 2/3/1987, his wife of thirty years died from leukemia. In 1990 he was called to active duty and served in the first Gulf war with the 325th Maintenance Company. In 1992 he retired from the Armed Services as a chief warrant officer grade three. In 2000 he retired from Boeing, became a member of the Rockledge Lions Club and served as deacon at First Baptist Church, Rockledge, Florida, until he entered into his eternal rest. Visitation will be held on Friday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel, 6200 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Graveside services will be on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Highland Memorial Cemetery. Online condolences at www.rosemortuary.com.

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Mr. James E. Ruth

February 26, 1932 - September 8, 2013