Ray Duane Ruggles

Ray Duane Ruggles, age 80, passed away peacefully September 26, 2022. He was born February 10, 1942, in Nashville, Tennessee and lived in Marietta, Georgia. He is a member of Luxomni Baptist Church in Lilburn. He is survived by his wife June, son Raylon, daughters Joy (Craig) and Melissa (Josh), four grandchildren, Levi, Presley, Chloe and Christian, sisters Bobbie and Orinda. He was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Sarah Ruggles of Marietta and sister Carla. Ray attended Sprayberry High School in Marietta. After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy and proudly served aboard aircraft carriers USS Antietam CVS-36, Pensacola, Florida and USS Shangri-La CVA-38, Mayport, Fl, as well as, with Squadron VR-24 Flight Crew in both Port Lyautey, Morocco and Roda, Spain. He then served at the Naval Station Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. Ray received an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1965. After his discharge, he worked at Lockheed Aircraft Corporation for seven years, then at APAC Georgia, where he retired as Environmental, Health and Safety Director with 32 years of service, in 2004. Ray lived a full, active and interesting life. He never met a stranger and loved traveling. He enjoyed visiting historical sites and completed his goal of visiting every State Capital Building in the US. He was an artist and accomplished photographer. He was also an avid collector of Civil War relics, antique weapons and Boy Scouts of America uniforms and artifacts. He also collected books, records, comics, baseball memorabilia, stamps, cameras and more. Ray also served an active role in the North Georgia Relic Hunters Club beginning in 1972. Ray was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution - John Collins Chapter, where he served as Historian, Sons of the Confederate Veterans - Kennesaw Chapter where he served terms as Camp Commander and Camp Chaplin. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America (1977-2016), first as Cub Master, Webelos and Troup Leader and Scout Master with his son, Raylon. Ray Duane Ruggles remained involved with Scouting where he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award (1987), the highest award that a council can give to a volunteer leader for service to youth, held the position of Unit Commissioner Foothills District, Atlanta Area Council and was awarded The Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also a member of Order of the Arrow. Ray also was a member of Georgia Military Vehicle Preservation Association and owned a Korean War era jeep. He also restored a 1958 Edsel. Flowers are welcomed but donations in memory of Ray Duane Ruggles to the Atlanta Area Council Boy Scouts of America are appreciated. Here is the link to donate: www.atlantabsa.org/plannedgiving

Ray Duane Ruggles

February 10, 1942 - September 26, 2022