James Edwin Ruffing, of North Platte, NE, died on March 3, 2023, in Lincoln, NE, at Bryan Memorial West, at the age of 76. Jim was the youngest of three children, born on December 15, 1946, to John Jacob and Jennie (Wilton) Ruffing, a ranching family in western Nebraska.
Jim attended grades one through eight in a one room school house and then continued on to attend high school at Platte Valley Academy in Shelton, NE, for four years, graduating in 1964. He a member of a special singing group, the Prairie Ballodairs, that traveled and put on music concerts. Immediately upon graduating high school, Jim attended Union College in Lincoln, NE.
He had an incredible bass voice and joined the musical group, The Visionaries, traveling and performing in various places. Music was Jim’s major and his passion; he had hopes to teach music. Instead, he joined the Army on March 23, 1966, serving his country for 20 years. On March 31, 1986, he was honorably discharged as an E-7. Jim served in Vietnam, Germany, Korea, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. Upon his discharge, he enrolled into Chadron State College and received a bachelor’s in Arts, majoring in Industrial Arts, and minoring in Industrial Agriculture. After graduating in 1990, Jim lived at the ranch briefly before moving to North Platte in 1996 when he was hired on as the maintenance man for South Platte Terrace.
Jim married Sharon Contreras on January 12, 1997; they enjoyed 26 years of happiness together. He was the head elder of the North Platte Seventh-day Adventist Church. He loved the Lord, preaching sermons, teaching Sabbath School lessons, and singing solos.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Peter Joseph Ruffing; sister, Jane Hickok.
Those surviving Jim include the love of his life, Sharon Ruffing; grandchildren, Sammie and Jacob Ruffing, of Shattuck, OK, and Devon, of Truth or Consequences, NM; great grand-daughter, Aurora.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
A memorial service will be held on April 24, 2023, at the Seventh-day Adventist Church at 10 A.M. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery. The book may be signed on Friday, April 21, 2023 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home from 12 P.M. to 4 P.M. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.