Dave Ruffner

David (Dave) Scott Ruffner, 69, sailed off on March 3, 2025. He was born August 27, 1955, in Newark, Ohio, a son of the late Hiram and Mary Ruffner. Dave loved all sports, especially basketball. Dave moved to Canton in 1968 and he graduated from Perry High School in 1973.

Dave is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Marcy Ruffner (Andrews), whom he married on July 7, 1978, at Green Valley United Methodist Church. Dave loved following his Cleveland and Buckeye sports teams, working in the yard, fixing up big pots of award winning chili, special trips with the Whites, Westhafers and Kleins and large Ruffner Family gatherings. Dave's love for Marcy was boundless, and that could be seen every Halloween when he wore whatever ridiculous costume Marcy told him to (usually dressed as a woman). But it didn't stop there, ridiculous outfits were the norm with Dave, whether heading to a costume party at Guy's Party Center, a family gathering, or a trip to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Dave always had the best costumes.

The word legacy is defined as "The long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person's life." Dave Ruffner has left a beautiful legacy.

Dave lives on with his siblings, Doug (Terri), Robyn (Gary), and Vicki, nieces and nephews and countless friends he made along the way. Dave loved animals, especially dogs, and would often cuddle his girls, Izzie and Gidget. He was a "Dad" to six children, Alaina (Shaun) Starr, Lela (Sean) Kuntz, Deke (Jamie) Ruffner, Lacie (Adron Simmons) Ruffner, Derrick (Dawn) Partello, Noel (Tim) England; and a "Pop-Pop" to ten grandchildren, Ellie, Farrah, Benny, Kayleigh, Henry, Bella, Everett, Kam, Briella and Gianna. His impact was also felt by many other young children through fostering for many years. His grandkids described Pop-Pop as: someone that was fun to be around, could always make you smile, was smart, kind, caring, strong, helpful, funny and loved to tease, but was also your number one fan. Seeing the way his children and especially those grandbabies joke around, prank, care for others and play in a joyful, carefree way shows his impact and genuine qualities have passed on and will continue throughout their lives. That's a legacy.

In 2021, he retired after 40 years at Nickles Bakery in Navarre. He held many positions and impacted several different areas of the bakery, but most of all impacted the folks he worked with. Dave's hard work, dedication and loyalty to work for one company for so long leaves a lasting impact. That's a legacy.

Dave was an active member at Green Valley United Methodist Church for over 40 years. He could be found in Sunday School ("The Kitchen Crew"), singing in the choir, helping out in the kitchen and serving on committees. You may have also found him telling a joke with a punchline that likely had not been told within the church walls before. He enjoyed the church and especially loved the people there, developing strong friendships that went beyond casual Sunday conversations. Those relationships carry on, leaving Dave's legacy behind.

Any person that met Dave has a positive story to share. No matter the breadth or gravity of the topic being discussed, Dave had a way of always making you feel better after it was done. A true gift, whether it was a light-hearted comment, a joke or something more insightful, you walked away feeling a sense of joy and content that wasn't there prior. You just felt good when you were around Dave. And Dave loved to joke around. Loved to laugh. Loved to have fun. Loved to push that line of appropriateness, often saying after making a comment, "I probably shouldn't have said that." And of course, regardless of what it was, you couldn't help but smile after. It was truly a gift Dave had to make others feel good and anyone that met him experienced it and has those memories forever. Legacy.

If everyone acted a bit more like Dave Ruffner we'd be in a great place. A little more playful, a little more loyal, a little more dedicated, a little more accepting, a little more lighthearted, a little more inappropriate (okay, maybe just a little?), a little more caring, a little more understanding, a little more empathetic, a little more Dave. If we choose to do that, to carry on in a way a little more like Dave, that would be a legacy.

A special thank you to all the doctors and nurses that cared for Dave at Cleveland Clinic Akron General. True to form, Dave chose to donate his body to medical research, so that he could continue to give back to others. Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025 from 3:30 - 5:00 PM at Green Valley United Methodist Church located at 620 E. Turkeyfoot Lake Road, Akron, OH. A Service will be held at 5:00 PM, with a celebration of life dinner immediately following, where all can share memories.

In lieu of flowers, you can plant a tree, or make a donation to the Cleveland Animal Protective League.