James Howell Ruff

Mr. James Howell (Hal/Pa/Tobar) Ruff passed away peacefully at Paulding Hospital on January 5, 2022. He was born in Paulding County, GA on July 19, 1939 to the late Horace O. and Isabell M. Ruff. He and Dorothy Atcheson were married on December 8, 1961. Reverend Green Tibbitts joined them in holy matrimony. At the ceremony, as Hal (as Dot calls him) went to say "I do" he said, "I'll try". He tried for over 60 years. Hal loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Brynlee Jarrett, who he called "Doodlebug," was the light of his life. James enjoyed a long career with Georgia Kraft/Inland Rome and he had many life long friends from his work life. His favorite hobby was hunting. He hunted all over Georgia and traveled to Colorado and Wyoming to hunt also. He was proud of his trophy room and anyone who came to visit him got to hear many of his hunting stories. He loved to tell those stories. James was a lifelong resident of Burnt Hickory and he never met a stranger. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Mr. Howell was preceded in death by his parents, Horace O. and Isabell M. Ruff; and brothers, Delbert Ruff, Clinton Ruff, and Billy Ruff. He is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy A. Ruff; daughters, Jamie Ruff, Melanie Ruff Monk, Judy Ruff, Grandsons, Dillon (Sarah Hardy) Jarrett and Blake McCullough; granddaughter, Jordan Jarrett; great-granddaughter, Brynlee (Doodlebug) Jarrett, brother; Hoyt (Harriett) Ruff; sisters-in-law, Vivian Twilley and Wanda Ruff; and brother-in-law, Bill (Judy) Atcheson.

The family will receive friends Saturday, January 8, 2022 at Clark Funeral Home, 4373 Atlanta Highway, Hiram, GA 30141, from 12:00pm until the service begins at 2:00pm. Reverend Jimmy Tibbitts and Reverend Hershel Tibbitts will be officiating. Pallbearers will be Dillon Jarrett, Blake McCullough, Wesley Ruff, Paul Atcheson, John Atcheson, Aaron Davis, and Steve Harris. Interment will follow at Dallas Memory Gardens, 444 Confederate Avenue, Dallas, GA 30132.

Clark Funeral Home is honored to care for the family during this difficult time. Condolences for the family may be left on the Tribute Wall of our website at samclarkfuneralhome.com.