J Leonard Ruffin

J. Leonard Ruffin, age 98 died January 10, 2023, two months shy of his 99th birthday on March 10, 2023. After a brief illness, he passed surrounded by his family who adored him, it was a beautiful end to a life well lived. Before his health declined, he was an active member of Dunwoody Baptist Church.

Leonard was born to Benjamin Franklin and Mamie Jewel Ruffin in Monroe County, Georgia. He was the second oldest of six children.

After graduating from Mary Persons High School in Forsyth, Ga., Leonard joined the Navy in 1942. He served his country well during World War II in the Battle of Leyete Gulf as a Gunners Mate. He was the last surviving member of a local group of World War II veterans who met every week for years at the Dunwoody Chick-Fil-A. The Dunwoody Crier wrote a wonderful article about them on Jan. 2, 2018, describing the group as the Lunch Bunch. “The oldest member of the group is 94-year-old Leonard Ruffin, who served in the Navy during World War II.” Leonard was quoted in the article, “If you want to go to college but don’t have the money, serve in the military first.”

Leonard was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946. Around this time his sister, Doris introduced him to Senneth Hester. Senneth became the love of his life, wife and soulmate for 67 years. Their children Carole and Don grew up cherishing Leonard’s playfulness and wicked sense of humor. They were taught by both parents to be honest, humble, a love for others, a love for life and to help others selflessly.

Using the new GI bill, Leonard enrolled at the University of Georgia. At UGA, Leonard played both football and baseball. He graduated with a BA in the class of 1950. In 2012, Leonard was invited to throw out the first pitch for a UGA versus University of Florida baseball game in Athens, being honored as the oldest living baseball player from UGA. Leonard was very proud of the accomplishments of the UGA football team and could always be found watching their games every Saturday in the fall.

Leonard and Senneth travelled extensively to Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. His career as an entrepreneur spanned over 50 years as he consulted and worked well into his 70s. He stayed active playing golf until the age of 93, driving and mowing his lawn until age 94 and he travelled internationally one last time with his entire family at age of 94.

Leonard leaves a cherished memory to his surviving descendants, his children, Carole Ruffin White, Donald Ruffin (Pamela), his grandchildren, Jennifer McDavid (John), Justin White (Rachel), James Ruffin and Heather Ruffin, his great-grandchildren Jewell Frey, Skylar Frey and Allie White. Leonard is also survived by his sister Willene Coggins (Joseph) and many nieces and nephews.

Leonard was preceded in death by his wife Senneth, his parents Benjamin Franklin and Mamie Jewel Ruffin, his sister Doris Ruffin, and brothers Franklin, Cecil and Douglas Ruffin.

Leonard’s life was lived on four principles: love of God, love of his wife, love of his family and love of the University of Georgia.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 19th at 1:00 p.m. at H.M. Patterson & Sons Oglethorpe Hill Chapel, 4550 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, Ga. 30319. The funeral service will be held in the chapel at 2:00 p.m. with a reception following the service. Leonard will be interred next to his wife on Friday, January 20th, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia.