Leroy Edward Ruth

Born in Baltimore, Maryland on September 1, 1940, he was the first of 3 children to George & Gladys Ruth. In addition to his parents, Roy was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Shelby Hensley Ruth and his sister Jeanette Davis. He is survived by his daughter, Rebecca Coddington (Mike) and grandson Jacob Coddington (Macyn) of Sparks, brother Robert Ruth of Vienna, Virginia, and several nieces and nephews in Tennessee and Virginia.

In early 1961, Roy met his lovely bride to be, Shelby, whom he later wed on August 4, 1962. Roy and Shelby remained married until her death in December 2022.

Roy enlisted in the US Army and began his tour in November 1961. While enlisted, he would become Airborne qualified earning his Jump Wings, Special Forces Tab, and Green Beret. He was honorably discharged in November 1964.

In September 1966, Roy & Shelby would welcome their one and only child, Rebecca (Becky).

In 1972, Roy received a promotion with Kinder Photo International, which led to the relocation of his family from Charlotte, North Carolina to Reno, Nevada.

Several years later, Roy would change careers from photo finishing to trucking. Roy drove for numerous companies, hauling everything from heavy equipment, road materials, furniture, food, sod, beer and LTL freight. He retired from Oak Harbor Freight in 2005.

Roy always had a great love for horses, something he shared with his daughter, Becky. In 1977, the family moved from Sparks to a horse property in Washoe Valley. There, he would own several horses, mostly Paint and Quarter Horses. Roy was a member of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, where he assisted in numerous search and rescue operations. He always supported his daughter in her passion for horses.

Roy and Shelby would spend the next 45 years in Washoe Valley, until moving to a retirement community due to health reasons. While the transition from country to apartment life was challenging, they were closer than ever to family and medical support. Unfortunately, Shelby would pass two months later due to complications from Influenza.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 14th @ 10:00 AM, at Crosswinds Assembly of God, 2100 El Rancho Drive, Sparks, NV. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation in Roy’s name to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation or Nevada Coalition for Suicide Prevention.