Gary Joseph Ruff

In Loving Memory of Gary Joseph Ruff

Gary was born on January 21st, 1950 and he left us on January 7th, 2024,
due to complications from a stroke. He was a devoted husband, son,
brother, uncle, friend and neighbor who touched the lives of so many.

Gary was generally affable, and was easy company for everyone. It was
evident from an early age that Gary had a love of animals, and that
foreshadowed him becoming a lifelong cattleman and a collector of cats.
He was well-known for his love of milkshakes, visiting with friends, his
“Gary Wear” Western fashion, his impassioned screeds of swearing,
and his adoration for Hereford cattle (his “Sweeties”).

Gary was from Custer, Montana, and he lived there most of his life.  He
served in the Army Reserves for several years, having been stationed in
Germany, as well as teaching Californians how to drive stick shift in
Death Valley.  Once discharged, he moved back to Custer and set to
courting his sweetheart Della May of Hysham, and they were married soon
after.  Their honeymoon was spent attending a girls high school
basketball tournament.   He was a passionate supporter of 4-H Clubs and
served his communities on the Custer School Board, the Custer Community
and School Support Foundation (CC&SSF), the Montana Cattle Feeders
Association board, the Montana Stockgrowers Association board, and the
Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) board.

Those close to Gary knew what a kind and gentle man he was, something
that was obvious to even those only just acquainted.  Gary embodied a
strong Western congeniality and had an ease of presence that made him
quietly reassuring.  He was great at commiserating with your grievance,
sharing his own, but always had some barely-restrained jolliness that
you’d be hard-pressed to disagree with.  He will be dearly missed and
never to be replaced.

Gary was preceded in death by his father Joseph Harold Ruff, his brother
Leslie Ruff, his father-in-law Charlie May and his sister-in-law Monica
Redland. He is survived by his wife of 50 years Della, his loving mother
Lillian Ruff, mother-in-law Ginger May, sister Vonnie (Steve) Herbst,
brother Scott (Annett) Ruff and sister-in-law Jo (Robert) Tubbs. Gary
leaves behind a legacy of love and warmth for his 9 nieces and nephews,
as well as numerous great nieces and nephews.

Memorials in Gary’s name and memory can be made to the Custer
Volunteer Fire Department, the Junction City Memorial Park, the
Custer Community and School Support Foundation or a charity of choice.

Bullis Mortuary has been entrusted with the cremation.

A service for family and friends will be in Gary's favorite time of year, The Spring, when cows and calves are munching green grass. June 10, 2024 at 1:30PM at the Custer School.

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