James "Larry" Lawrence Ruble Sr.

James Lawrence “Larry” Ruble Sr., age 87 passed away Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born October 7, 1938 in St. Louis to Mary Odell Ruble Stinson. Larry married Elma Cox September 29, 1963 in St. Louis.

Larry attended Roosevelt High School in St. Louis. He was a veteran of the United States Army having been inducted November 16, 1955 and honorably discharged October 13, 1959. After he and Elma were married he went to work as a locomotive engineer for the Cotton Belt Railway, which later became Union Pacific Railroad.

He and Elma relocated to Jackson in 1968. Larry enjoyed gardening, collecting model cars, and hot wheels. He enjoyed country music (especially Hank Williams), baseball, and history.

Loving survivors include his wife Elma of 62 years; son, Larry Ruble Jr of Cape Girardeau; brother, John (Connie) Stinson of St. Louis; sister, Mary Alice (the late Art) Marx of St. Louis; grandchildren, Afton Eftink, Kaden (Alyssa) Eftink, Levi (Jessica) Kinder, and Danielle (JJ) Baker; great grandchildren, Preston, Paislee, and Arya Eftink, Harlow Cook, Kanan Kinder, Claire Hinkebein and Jude Hinkebein.

Larry was preceded in death by his mother Mary Odell Ruble Stinson, a daughter, Lori Eftink, and a sister Jackie Gackenbach.

Inurnment will be at 2:30 pm, Monday October 27, 2025 Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri with full military honors.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting Larry’s obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.