Martin Ruby

Martin Dale Ruby was born to Charles L. Ruby and Rachel Martindale, in Fullerton, CA. on September 9, 1937 and passed on June 10, 2010. He attended Fullerton High School and then continued on to Fresno State. There he met his future wife, Roberta Hughes whom he married in 1960. They then settled in Visalia, welcoming two children, Kenneth Ruby and Kristen Ruby. Martin began his career as an educator for Visalia Unified School District at Webster School in 1962. After several years in a self contained classroom, he took the assignment of elementary PE teacher, teaching at many of the district's elementary schools. He went on to become an assisstant principal, working at several schools until 1987, at which time he was assigned as the interim principal at Highland Elementary School. The staff was so pleased with him and his work, they wrote letters to the District requesting that he be made the permanent principal, an appointment he maintained until his retirement eleven years later. In total, Martin worked with the students of Visalia for 37 years, and "Mr. Ruby" is fondly remembered by many. Martin was a great team builder, an "old style" principal; treating his staff to pies from the Picnic Shop, trusting his teachers to use their judgement and skills in the classroom, and always interacting with students at recess and lunchtime. It has been said by some that with his large size and his sense of humor, in many ways he was larger than life. He loved to tease, enjoyed time spent learning new things on the computer and in photography with thousands of pictures taken on trips to China, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Europe. He also visited much of the United States as one who enjoyed a long leisurely drive through the countryside. Martin had a heart for the community which was demonstrated by his 30 year commitment to the Kiwanis Clulb of the Sequoia, Visalia with 27 years of perfect attendance. He enjoyed summers at his cabin in Wilsonia, and family time spent with his children and grandchildren. He was very proud of his children's careers, attending Kristen's concerts and Ken's games whenever he could. He was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed attending local high school, COS and Fresno State contests. He enjoyed history and maintaining a collection of items which he viewed as having historical value. In his younger years, he was a pitcher in the city fast-pitch softball leagues. He enjoyed golf and played regularly as a member of the Kings River Golf and Country Club. Martin leaves behind a legacy of countless friends and acquaintances in Visalia and Tulare County. It was his custom to call and offer to drop by with freshly picked produce. He was only a phone call away from providing help to anyone for anything they needed and often surprised you with small gifts or things he thought you would enjoy. He was unpretentious, cared about people and the things in life that matter, and he knew how to be a friend. Martin was predeceased by his first wife, Roberta Hughes Ruby in 2005. He is survived by his wife, Linda K. Ruby, his daughter, Kristen E. Ruby, and son Kenneth Ruby and his wife Kristen, all of Visalia; his stepchildren, Craig, Christopher and Curtiss Bartlett. He was grandfather to Brian, Kieryn and McKenna Ruby and great grandpa to Wyatt Ruby. He is also survived by his sister, Phyllis Braskat of Visalia, his brother and sister in law, Charles and Sylvia Ruby of Sausalito; his brother and sisters in law, Marvin and Margaret Hughes, Betty McDowell and Priscilla Hughes and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Wed. June 16, 2010 from 4-7pm at Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be Thurs. June 17, 2010 at 10am at Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at Visalia District Cemetery and a reception will be held at Highland Elementary School, 701 N Stevenson Street. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Kiwanis Club of Sequoia, Visalia, 3201 W. La Vida Ave, Visalia 93277, in care of the Martin Ruby Educational Scholarship.