Tommy Ruger

Tommy (Thomas William) Ruger passed away on December 11, 2013 after a life filled with friends and music. A native of Ormond Beach, he lived most of his life in the area, interrupted by his military service in Vietnam and his musical pursuits. He was the founding drummer with The Nightcrawlers, a Daytona Beach-based garage band with much success in the mid-1960's with, among other songs, "Little Black Egg". He was also the founding drummer for Root Boy Slim and the Sex Change Band, a Washington D.C./Warner Bros.-based band known for their hard-driving rhythms and satirical lyrics, whose fans included White House staffers during the Carter administration. He also worked as a studio musician in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, before settling in at the Daytona Beach News Journal for a years-long printing career. Tommy was born at the Halifax Hospital Annex on Nov. 30, 1946 to Louise and Thomas Ruger, later joined by sisters, Louise and Alice. He attended Corbin Avenue Elementary and Mainland High School, graduating in 1965. He was a member of the award-winning Buccaneer Marching Band and under his mentor and friend, Band Director Jimmy Finn, played his drums as much and as often as he could. It was during high school that he joined a band started by Sylvan Wells; the Nightcrawlers, which included Rob Rouse, Peter Thomason and Charlie Conlon, and was managed by his friend, the late Mike Stone. Later bands also included The Lost Children, and Bittersweet (with friends Alan Johnson, Pete Carr and Lenny LeBlanc). Tommy served in the Navy on the USS Camden in the Gulf of Tonkin and upon his return, he worked at the newspaper and for the family business, Ruger Awning, while continuing his musical pursuits. As much as he was proud of his Navy service, he considered himself an "unsuccessful draft dodger". He continued as a dynamic rock and roll drummer throughout his life, but was a multi-faceted personality, well-read and involved. He was a husband, a father, a grandfather and friend. Tommy leaves behind his wife and soul-mate Betty Fitzgerald Ruger, daughter Virginia Ruger Paterno, and step-children Meoghan Corn (Andy) Sistrunk and Zach (Stacey) Corn. "Bobo" absolutely adored his grandchildren Rachel Paterno, Davey and T. J. Sistrunk, and Addison, Maston and Owen Corn. He is also survived by nephew Terry (Grace Seay) Peres and nieces Tanya Peres (John) Lemons, Julie Peres (Pete) Hayes and Monica Surrencey. A memorial service to celebrate Tommy's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 21st at the First United Methodist Church of Port Orange, located at 305 Dunlawton Avenue. Arrangements are under the direction of Cardwell Funeral Home in Port Orange. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the music scholarship in his name at Mainland Senior High School. A separate "Tommy-style" celebration of his life and music will be held in early 2014 to benefit the scholarship. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com.