Don Ruthrauff

Byron Donald Ruthrauff, 90, faithful servant of Jesus, closed his eyes and opened them in Heaven on Sunday, April 6, 2014.

He was born March 26, 1924 in Coffeyville, Kansas to Thomas L. and Ines O. Ruthrauff. A true American hero, he served as a sergeant in World War II with the 11th Armored Division from 1942 to 1946. He fought in the brutal Battle of the Bulge and participated in the liberation of Austrias notorious Mauthausen concentration camp in 1945.

On a weeks leave from the Army, he returned to the States and married his beloved childhood sweetheart, Doris J. Sykes, in Coffeyville in 1944 and then returned to Western Europe for the remainder of the war. Upon his return, he and Doris lived in Coffeyville and Parsons, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri. They had three children, Rodney Don, Gail Ann, and Susan Nan. He was employed as an Agent and Regional Manager for the Prudential Insurance Company for over 30 years. After his retirement at age 59, he and Doris returned to their Coffeyville home.

Don was renowned throughout the region for his special spicy chili, and he was a soughtafter speaker because of his Will Rogersstyle wit and humor.

He was a courtappointed Special Advocate for Children with CASA and also volunteered for Meals on Wheels. He was an active member of the Junior and Senior Chambers of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club, and the Toastmasters Club. He was a faithful member of Coffeyvilles First Church of the Nazarene. In Dallas Don was a volunteer at ZaleLipshy ICU and, more recently, Brother Bills Helping Hand.

Don and Doris moved to Dallas, Texas in 1999 to be near their daughter, Gail Capps, and her family because of Doris failing health. They became members of Park Cities Baptist Church. Doris eventually succumbed to the ravages of Parkinsons Disease in 2004.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and four sisters, and two grandsons.

He is survived by his son, Rod and wife, Charlene, of Salvatierra, Mexico, his daughter, Gail Capps and husband, Robert, of Dallas, Texas, and daughter, Susan Rose and husband, Charles, of Minden, Louisiana his surviving grandchildren include Sean Ruthrauff and wife, Mendy, of Prairie Village, Kansas, Casey Rose and wife, Sarah, of Shreveport, Louisiana, Laci Hohlt and husband, Adam, of Ruston, Louisiana, Paige Capps of Dallas, Texas, and Abigail Capps of Jackson, Mississippi his surviving greatgrandchildren include Jake and Luke Ruthrauff, sons of Sean and Mendy, and Lillian Rose, daughter of Casey and Sarah. He is also survived by Dallas friend and former Mauthausen POW, Andre Biczynski.

Please celebrate his life at a funeral service Friday, April 11, 2014, 11:00am, at First Church of the Nazarene, 2300 West First Street, Coffeyville, Kansas 67337, Pastor Ford Hall will officiate. Graveside service and military burial will follow at Fairview Cemetary. FordWulfBruns Chapel of Coffeyville, Kansas is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 10, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Honorary contributions may be made to First Church of the Nazarene these may also be left with the funeral home.