Ronald E. Ruffin

Ronald Edward Ruffin, age 65, of Cincinnati, Ohio passed away on Monday, May 1, 2023, at the Jewish Hospital. Ron was born on September 10, 1957, to the union of Coleman and Eva (nee Walker) Ruffin. Ron was preceded in death by both of his parents, Coleman and Eva Ruffin.

Ron was raised in Cumminsville, and attended Cincinnati Public Schools; Garfield Elementary, Heinold Jr. High, and graduated from Courter Technical High School in 1975. He was recruited to play basketball for Michigan State University while in high school.

Ron was baptized at Greater New Hope Baptist Church as a child, and he joined Greater Liberty Baptist Church in 2022.

Ron was previously employed with Hilton Davis Chemical Company and the Ohio Department of Transportation; he was also a forklift driver for various warehouses.

Ron was a sports enthusiast, he loved football, baseball, basketball, and watching Nascar Formula 1 and Indy car races. Ron was an umpire for adult baseball games and refereed for youth basketball games for many years, as he had a special place in his heart for children. He had a nickname for everyone, such as Grasshopper, Test-Tube Baby or Bruce. He was called “Ruff Ron” because his basketball skills were rough.

Ron was a part of a special group from the class of 1975 at Courter Tech that have remained friends long after graduation.

Ron leaves to cherish his memory, his loving partner Shirley Thompson, daughter, Angel (Rondelrick) Hodo, two sons, Ronald (Robyn) Williams, and Kyle (MaryLauren) Battle; siblings, Carolyn Warmack, Deborah Ruffin, Clarice Edmondson, Coleman (Carol) Ruffin, Jr., and Michael Ruffin, his grandchildren Taylor and Byron Williams, great-grandchildren, along with nieces Nadia and Nici Ruffin, nephew Domonique Roper, great nephew Alex Ruffin and other family members and friends.

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