Ron Ruggles, longtime local announcer, dies at 75

Ron Ruggles was a dear friend in every sense. He had a servant's heart and was quick to listen and last to judge.

Ruggles, 75, died Wednesday after a long illness.

My own interactions with him across nearly three years in western Kentucky were routinely long, meandering conversations that left me - the relative newcomer - much at ease and far less homesick than I was when I started.

Ron was my first real friend in Kentucky. I'd met Mike Stunson, who I was replacing at the Paducah Sun. I'd just met Ryan Hermans, our staff photographer. I'd met Steve Wilson, then our longtime executive editor. But, to that point, I hadn't really gotten to know anyone on a deeper level.

But Ron, he was family from the first minute.

Listening with the practiced ear of a longtime Pastor, he heard my story. Attentive as always, he heard every word from the once-divorced, flawed, imperfect writer from Michigan with impossibly big shoes to fill, coming in alongside Ed Marlowe and after Mike Stunson, Dusty Luthy and the late Joey Fosko — all legends in their own right.

Ron was a legend, too, though he'd never admit it.

He was the in-house voice of first Heath High, then McCracken County's basketball, soccer, volleyball and softball teams.

All told, for more than 30 years, Ron shared his time and talents with those in and around Paducah. His loving and devoted wife of 53 years Jane was seldom far away, often with him in the row behind the scorers table for basketball and volleyball; or in the press box at soccer and softball.

Where Eric Chumbler dutifully and masterfully calls the games on the radio, Ron did the same for those who filled the seats every night from the beginning until recently, when his health kept him home.

Even then, Ron followed along, ever loyal to his Mustangs - near and far.

As Ron's health began to worsen over the last few years you'd expect a more pessimistic attitude to take hold.

No way. Not him. Not ever.

"I've yet to meet a man as passionate about spreading love with the gifts God gave him as Ron Ruggles did," Chumbler said. "The Lord gave Ron an incredible desire to share His love, and Ron did that every day he was alive as a minister and child of God. The Lord also gave Ron an incredible voice, and Ron used that sharp, eloquent voice to share the good news of Christ to thousands as well promote the talents of thousands of kids in our community for over 30 years.

"His voice became iconic in Heath High School and McCracken County High School. And to say he touched my life would be a dramatic understatement. Ron used all of his talents to serve the Lord and build up others, and he is someone this community will miss deeply. "

While I am thankful to God that Ron's pain is gone, I mourn his loss and I feel great sadness for his wife, Jane; his son, Ron Jr; his daughters, Tracey and Erin; his grandchildren, Christina and Brooke; and for everyone who knew and loved him - my family included.

Goodbye, old friend. I will miss you dearly.