Mack Thomas Ruffin III

Mack Thomas Ruffin III, 92, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away on March 22, 2026. He was the beloved husband of the late Patricia Carpenter Ruffin; and was also preceded in death by his parents, Mack Thomas Ruffin, Jr. and Margaret Lenore Denson; and his sister, Mary Lenore Ruffin Westbrook.

A graduate of Tarboro High School (1952) and North Carolina State University (1957), Mack studied agricultural engineering before serving in the U.S. Army in France. He later retired from the U.S. Army Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Mack spent 30 years with Southern States Cooperative, where he became Product Manager and Buyer for Farm & Home and was known for his professionalism, integrity and lasting contributions to the company. He made Richmond his home during this time.

A lifelong Boy Scout and devoted leader, he remained active in Scouting for decades and received numerous honors, including the Silver Beaver Award and the Distinguished Service Award from the Order of the Arrow. In 2019, a leadership training center at Camp T. Brady Saunders was dedicated in his name. Mack shared his love of the outdoors with his family, whether that was teaching a grandchild to set up a tent in his backyard or fishing in the Atlantic at the Outer Banks.

He was also a dedicated Mason for over 50 years, serving in leadership roles with Glen Allen Lodge No. 131 and Richmond Scottish Rite Bodies, where he received the 33rd Degree. He was passionate in his support for the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center and was frequently found there doing lawn care and fountain repair.

Mack’s curiosity about things (always an engineer!), places, and people mean he will be remembered for the warmth of his greetings and good humour. He was at his happiest when joyfully serving others or seeing those he loved brought together.

Mack is survived by his son, Dr. Mack T. Ruffin IV, his wife Kathy Carter, and grandsons Noah and Sean and his wife Julia; his daughter, Margaret Ruffin Horvath, and grandson Stephen; his daughter, Susan Ruffin Clark, her husband H. Duffey Clark, Jr., granddaughter Shelby, her husband Andy, and great-grandchildren Caden and Kennedy; granddaughter Samantha, her husband Chris and great- grandchildren Charlotte and Sophie; four nephews and numerous cousins; all beloved by him.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, at the West Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 11020 West Broad Street, Glen Allen, VA with military honors rendered at 7 p.m. and a Masonic Memorial Service at 7:15 p.m.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 6000 Grove Avenue, in Richmond, VA. The family will receive friends at a reception in the church hall after the service. The service will be broadcast live at the following link: https://ststephensrva.org/memorial-stream/

Burial will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, at Greenwood Cemetery, 1298 Peach Street, Tarboro, NC. The family will receive friends at a location to be announced after the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Margaret D. Ruffin Scholarship and Award Endowment, a university scholarship fund established to honor his mother by her former students, at the following link: nccommunityfoundation.org/MargaretRuffin

Or donations may be sent to the Order of the Arrow Lodge in care of Heart of Virginia Council at 8090 Villa Park Drive, Henrico, VA 23228, noting his name and designation for the Lodge.