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Fred Ruthford "Rudy" Gearheart Jr.

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Fred Gearheart Obituary

Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Sep. 23, 2008.

GEARHEART, Fred Ruthford "Rudy" Jr., 67, of Farmville, Virginia, passed away Sunday, September 21, 2008 at Roanoke Memorial hospital. He had been fighting Lymphoma for several months. Rudy was born in Gearheart, Kentucky, March 29, 1941, and was the eldest child of Fred Ruthford and Faye Counts Gearheart. Rudy graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in 1959, where he lettered in track and basketball. He served in the United States Marine Corp, and spent his working career in the finance and banking industry. He was still active in the mortgage business at the time of his death. Rudy is survived by his son, Fred Ruthford III "Ford" and his wife, Jennifer Turnbull Gearheart; and their children, Fred Ruthford IV "Ace" and Vivian Reeves Gearheart of Farmville; children of daughter, Madeline Faye (deceased), Ashley Faye and Emiley Grace Mitchell of Farmville. In addition, he is survived by his close companion, Ruth Gowin; former wife, Linda Beach Baldwin of Keysville; sister, Madeline Marie Terry of Greensboro, N.C.; brother, Rodney Rex and wife, Shirley Dulaney Gearheart, of Dublin, Va.; brother, Charles Edward and wife, Melody Williams Counts, of Meadowview, Va.; parents, Cecil E. and Faye Counts, of Salem, Va. Rudy was preceded in death by his daughter, Madeline Faye Mitchell; his brother, Randolph Allen Gearheart; and his father, Fred Ruthford Gearheart. Our most sincere thanks and gratitude are extended to the many friends and family members who visited and supported Rudy during his illness, especially the staff, nurses, and doctors at Roanoke Memorial. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Puckett Funeral Home in Farmville. A graveside service will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Westview Cemetery in Farmville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Madeline's House in care of Puckett Funeral Home, 115 Covington Court, Farmville, Va. 23901, or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to [email protected].
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

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Recent Activity

September 30, 2008

Vanessa Mole (Ittner) posted to the memorial.

September 30, 2008

June Lee Higgs posted to the memorial.

September 27, 2008

Howard Guthrie posted to the memorial.

20 Entries

Vanessa Mole (Ittner)

September 30, 2008

I'm so sorry to hear about Rudy's passing,I worked with him at SLM Financial,when I was in training in Farmville. Rudy was such a special person in my life and very fun to be around and I will miss him very much. May God be with his family at this time of sorrow.

June Lee Higgs

September 30, 2008

It hurts my heart to loose such a special person, I was blessed to have a few moments with Rhudy at the hospital, as always we talked Mercedes Benz, his running by our house wearing a tie and running shorts, and his love for his family. He told me he had had a special time just recently with Rodney. Such a warm, loving special person will leave a huge void in so many lives. Tommy and I were out of town and so sorry we did not know about this until now. May you always be blessed with special memories of his smile and his special way of talking to you.

Howard Guthrie

September 27, 2008

Sorry to hear of Rudy's passing.I had not seen him for several years,but did have a chance meeting in Salem and it was like high school days,laughter and smiles .He will be missed.

Judy Duvall

September 25, 2008

How appropriate these rain drops are! Rudy was a very special man who made this world a better place; I only hope he knew how many lives he touched and brightened - mine for sure. I know he loved his family, and the only comfort I feel now is that he's with his daughter. Don't you know he's making over all the women in heaven! What a guy!

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Michele Ellis

September 25, 2008

Remembered and loved by so many- you are truly an inspiration to all. GOD SPEED!!!

smokey Jordan

September 25, 2008

Ford/Ruth and family..so very sorry for your loss...As you know he was one of a kind.but I know where he is now as God would say as he met Rudy at the Pearly Gates: Knock Knock..who is there? It is Rudy father! what do you want Rudy? I want to come in father. Silly boy just use your key!! Fred has gone to the big "Race" in the sky! SMoke

Smokey Jordan

September 24, 2008

Freddie:
Somehow you will get this. I am sorry I let you down in the long run and long run we did have.Richmond 21 straight.We were 2 of 10 and have the injuries to prove it..Rest easy big guy until we meet again..SMoke

George Wright

September 24, 2008

j have fond memories of hanging around the Brown Derby with Rudy and riding around in his old car(Chev i believe) all night listening to Cathy's clown.my condolences to all of his family.he left this world to soon. he will be missed.

Bobby Grubb

September 23, 2008

The last time I saw Rudy was in 1999 - the Andrew Lewis Class of '59 reunion. I always considered him a close friend and when in Salem, I often stopped by Cecil and Faye's to see how he was doing. May God bless you, Ruth, and comfort you and Rudy's family during this trying time.

Hazel Burley

September 23, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Julia Ragland

September 23, 2008

I have worked along side Rudy for 4 years at SLM Financial. I will greatly miss his energy, humor and wisdom.
I imagine he will be trying to finance the mansions in heaven, its in his blood.

Christy Womack McGinnity

September 23, 2008

My deepest and dearest thoughts and prayers go out to you all, Ford, Jenn, Emily and Ashley and Linda along with the rest of Rudy's family. How devistated I was to learn of his passing; I really loved him to pieces and what a wonderful friend and person he was. I take peace in knowing he no longer suffers and is up stairs taking care of Madeline Faye; he missed her so. I am keeping you all in my thoughts and special prayers; Rudy's smile and humor was so contagious and he brightened every room he walked in. May God bless each and every one of you during this time of grief and know he will never be forgotten. God bless.

TAMMY DALTON

September 23, 2008

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. MAY YOUR MEMORIES BRING YOU COMFORT.

CHRIS, TAMMY AND ALLISON DALTON

Lana Gerlach

September 23, 2008

Rudy was a very special person and will be missed greatly by all. My heart goes out to his family and dear friends. Please accept my deepest sympathies.

Angie LaFon

September 23, 2008

I worked for SLM with Rudy. I always enjoyed him coming by our office. He always had a smile and managed to put one on the faces of whomever he was around. He will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Raymond & Ruth Bussard

September 23, 2008

Ruth, Please accept our sympthy. We have many fond memories of Rudy. Our joy in sharing stories is endless. Please express our deep concern for you to his family.

Coach Ray Bussard and Ruth

wayne peregoy

September 23, 2008

sorry to hear of rudys passing. rudy was a great guy. will have fond memories of him while growing up in the old neighborhood and stopping to see him in farmvlle when i was in the navy. gussie wheeling and i would stop there on our way to norfolk and rudy would give us a beer for the road, never will forget it. may he be in peace. wayne peregoy

Debbie Canady

September 23, 2008

Remember

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

By Christina Rossetti
The Poetry Foundation