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Obituary for James Melvin "Mel" Ruth Jr.
James Melvin “Mel” Ruth Jr. passed away in the early morning on November 4, 2015. He was born on May 28, 1930 in Oakland, California. He spent most of his childhood in Tracy, California, before moving with his family to Vacaville in the late 1940s. He was a 1948 graduate of Vacaville High School. After graduating high school he joined the United States Navy. During his time in the Navy he was stationed on the east coast where he met and married his wife Theresa (Ferreira) Ruth. After their marriage he and his wife moved to California, where Mel attended a technical college. He later joined the United States Air Force, serving 16 years. He and his wife enjoyed their time as a military family, and traveled around the world during his time in the service. After retirement he worked for the Solano County Assessor’s Office and later Simpson Dura Vent. In retirement he was an avid wine collector and enjoyed following his beloved sports teams, the San Francisco 49ers, the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Bruins. He was preceded in death by his parents James and Ann Ruth Sr. and his beloved wife, Theresa. He is survived by his sons, James M. Ruth III and daughter-in-law Sheryl (Cottier) Ruth of Vacaville, and David Alan Ruth of Concord, California. His grandchildren, Kamber Nichole (Ruth) Paul and grandson-in-law Julius Maximilian Paul of Dusseldorf, Germany, his grandson Branton James Ruth, of Vacaville and his great-grandson, Marlo Maximilian Paul of Dusseldorf, Germany. He is also survived by his sister, Beverly Day of Redding, CA and numerous nieces and nephews across the nation. There will be a viewing Monday evening, November 9, 2015 from 4 to 7 p.m., at McCune Garden Chapel, 212 Main Street, Vacaville, CA 95688, followed by a funeral on Tuesday morning, November 10 at 10 a.m. also at McCune Garden Chapel. He will be laid to rest, with full military honors, immediately following the funeral at the Vacaville Elmira Cemetery.
