Jon Ruud
2026
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The singular and dearly loved Jon Michael Ruud, 77, passed away at his home in Tucson, Arizona on Sunday, March 29th 2026 after entering hospice for COPD earlier this year.
Born in 1948 in Rock Island, Illinois to Helen M. Ruud (née Kurtz) and Harry B. Ruud, Jon lived in his beloved Tucson since the early 70s.
A talented and passionate craftsman and carpenter, Jon relished designing, building, and solving problems through hundreds of projects over his career — everything from custom furniture to full renovations of historic homes.
Jon loved dogs, babies, music, to read, bake bread, savor good food, and, above all, to talk. He was known to put on a pressed shirt, a pair of Wranglers and cowboy boots and go down to the Boondocks to dance, listen to music, and socialize. He was a loving father and a loyal friend with a wicked sense of humor and encyclopedic memory. He believed "that every story is improved with exaggeration," and had thousands of stories. Big hearted, he was easy to cry during a movie or heartfelt commercial, and, if you had the luck of knowing him, was likely one of the most unique and interesting people you could hope to meet.
He's survived by his daughter (Amanda), his siblings (Joan, Jim, and Jeff) extended family, and many old friends, including his lifelong best friend, Marty Sax. The night before he passed, Jon ate a meal he loved and watched the Wildcats advance to the final four.
In lieu of flowers, please give to St. Jude Children's Hospital or Doctors Without Borders (two charities important to Jon) or simply practice bringing more kindness, honesty, and curiosity into the world in his honor. And, to share a Warren Zevon quote that Jon loved, remember to "enjoy every sandwich."
Born in 1948 in Rock Island, Illinois to Helen M. Ruud (née Kurtz) and Harry B. Ruud, Jon lived in his beloved Tucson since the early 70s.
A talented and passionate craftsman and carpenter, Jon relished designing, building, and solving problems through hundreds of projects over his career — everything from custom furniture to full renovations of historic homes.
Jon loved dogs, babies, music, to read, bake bread, savor good food, and, above all, to talk. He was known to put on a pressed shirt, a pair of Wranglers and cowboy boots and go down to the Boondocks to dance, listen to music, and socialize. He was a loving father and a loyal friend with a wicked sense of humor and encyclopedic memory. He believed "that every story is improved with exaggeration," and had thousands of stories. Big hearted, he was easy to cry during a movie or heartfelt commercial, and, if you had the luck of knowing him, was likely one of the most unique and interesting people you could hope to meet.
He's survived by his daughter (Amanda), his siblings (Joan, Jim, and Jeff) extended family, and many old friends, including his lifelong best friend, Marty Sax. The night before he passed, Jon ate a meal he loved and watched the Wildcats advance to the final four.
In lieu of flowers, please give to St. Jude Children's Hospital or Doctors Without Borders (two charities important to Jon) or simply practice bringing more kindness, honesty, and curiosity into the world in his honor. And, to share a Warren Zevon quote that Jon loved, remember to "enjoy every sandwich."
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jon Ruud, please visit our flower store.
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