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Our most heart felt sympathies go out to our own W. E. (Bill) Ruth in
the recent passing of his brother John. From all of NW Senior Softball Ruth, John Walter John Walter RUTH Loyal husband, devoted father and grandfather, and confirmed car guy
died peacefully at home on April 14, 2008. He had recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. With his warm smile, gentle
demeanor, and dry sense of humor, he will be dearly missed by his wife Saundra Ruth, his brothers William E. Ruth (and wife
Susan) and Jerry A. Ruth, his children Joanne Gentry (and husband David), John David Ruth (and wife Pat), Joel Ruth, Jeri
Osgood (and husband David), Philip Maasen, and Paul Maasen and his grandchildren Chett (and wife Kylie), Jennifer, Amanda
(and husband Chris), Nathan, Amber, Ben, Nicholas, and Ciana, and great-grandchildren Gabriel and Tegan. John was born in
Seattle, WA at Providence Hospital on July 18, 1936 to Walter Earnest and Zella Mary Ruth. He lived in the Riverton area of
Seattle until age 5 when his family moved to a small home off of Benson Highway in Renton, WA. John attended Panther Lake
Elementary School, Kent Junior High, and graduated from Kent Meridian High School. He then went on to study engineering at
Washington State University. After attending WSU for 2 years, he returned to the Seattle area and went to work for Boeing.
During this time, John married Judy Everall and had three children. They divorced in 1974. John worked at Boeing for 13 years
and was involved in the design of the original SST airliner. After his time at Boeing, John went to work in the field that
was his true passion - cars and racing. John had always owned and raced vintage automobiles on his own and with his brother
Jerry. He would buy one car, trick it out, and then sell it. One car finally stuck - a 1939 Chevrolet. It was owned by him
until his death and will remain in the family. In the early 70's, John partnered with the late Steve Woomer, in Competition
Specialties, a retail and then wholesale speed equipment distributor. Competition Specialties proved very successful and still
operates today in Auburn, WA. In the mid-70's, John sold his share back to partner Steve Woomer. For the next three years,
John traveled with his brother Jerry, supporting his racing career on the fuel dragster and funny car circuits. John had many
fond memories of that time in his life. In 1980, John started Motor Oil Supply in Tukwila, WA. He started out with one employee
and slowly grew it to its current size of 27 employees. One of the first employees John hired, Saundra (Sam) Maasen, later
went on to become his wife. John remembers seeing Sam walk through the door for the first time and said she was the most beautiful
woman he'd ever seen. They married September 1st, 1983 and would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this year.
Throughout his life, John continued to own and operate Motor Oil Supply, visit hot rod shows with Don Willies and his car
buddies, attend every high school reunion, attend most every sporting event his grandchildren played in, and tinker with his
substantial stable of hot rods. John loved cars and he loved his work, but most of all he loved his family. His grandchildren
were absolutely his pride and joy and he relished every moment spent with them. John's quiet, caring manner, crinkly,
blue eyes, dry sense of humor, warm hugs, love for his family, and inquisitive nature will be so missed by all who loved him.
We know he is smiling down on us and we will live in honor of his memory. A Service to Celebrate John's life will be held
at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 21st, 2008 at First Evangelical Presbyterian Church (19800 108th Ave SE Renton, WA 98055). In
lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network - www. Pancan.org. To those who are unable
to attend, please take a quiet moment at 5:00 p.m. on April 21st to reflect on John and his life and all that he gave us.
The family of John Ruth would like to thank Dr. Richard Ingber and his staff for their compassionate care and concern during
John's illness. Published in print from 4/17/2008 - 4/18/2008. Notice • Guest Book • Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities
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Page 1 of 1 | | | | | | | April 17, 2008 |  | I will alway's remember John not only as a friend but as an advisor.I will miss
him dearly.Keep the tire's smokin' in heaven. | | | Josh
Colman (RENTON, WA) Contact me |
| | April
17, 2008 |  | Mr. Ruth I will truly miss you .I am very honored to have had the oppurtunity to
have worked for you.You are such a kind soul.I will never forget you and all that you had taught me.I will always remember
your smile and kind heart. | | | tina colman (renton,
WA) |
| | April
17, 2008 |  | I have done business with John for almost 30 years. What more needs to be said?
My deepest sympathy to Johns family, friends, and employees. | | | Joe McIntosh (Seattle, WA) |
| | April 17, 2008 |  | In the short time I knew John Ruth, he was always the most down to earth, kindest
and genuine human beings you would ever want to meet. My only regret is that I did not have the honor of knowing John Ruth
longer. Him and his family are in my prayers during this difficult time. | | | Craig Paulsen (Olympia, WA) Contact me |
| | April
17, 2008 |  | John has been an inspiration to my life in more ways that I can express. He has
been a true partner, a friend and in many aspects a father figure to me. Words cannot express the deep sense of loss I feel
from his passing. It has been a true honor to know him and he will be greatly missed. Rest in peace John, you will always
be in my thoughts. | | | Julie Podgorski (Seattle,
WA) Contact me |
| | April
17, 2008 |  | I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed and admired John. | | | Teach (Bainbridge Island, WA) |
| | April 17, 2008 |  | Bob and I knew the moment John became one of the family. It was Thanksgiving at
our house and John volunteered to carve the turkey. He was the "turkey carver" for the past 25 years when our large
family gathered. | | | Debbie and Bob Sutphin (WA)
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| | April 17, 2008 |  | My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring
you comfort. | | | JERI CHILD (PUYALLUP, WA)
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