1945
Thomas
2025
Thomas Ruple
November 19, 1945 — June 16, 2025
Thomas Michael Ruple, beloved brother, dedicated educator, and respected public servant, passed away on Monday, June 16th, 2025 in Kingsland, Georgia. He was 79 years old.
Born on November 19, 1945, to Al and Joy Ruple, Tom was the eldest of four siblings and a quiet source of wisdom, strength, and intellect for those who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Linda Wotowa and Mark Ruple. He is survived by his youngest brother, Eric Ruple.
Tom was also preceded in death by his beloved wife, Candace Gonzalez, with whom he shared 15 meaningful years of marriage until her passing on May 8, 2023. As a widower, Tom moved to Kingsland, Ga to be close to his brother. The brothers enjoyed many hours at the St. Mary's waterfront watching the boaters and fishermen. While living at Lakes Crossing Senior Care his last two years, Tom had many 'walking buddies', friends and he enjoyed it immensely when children groups would come in and visit.
A lifelong learner and passionate educator, Tom earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Quantitative Methods from Kent State University. During graduate school, he served as a teaching assistant in statistics— an early sign of the impactful teaching career he would go on to build alongside his work in public service.
Tom spent his entire professional life working for the federal government, where he applied mathematical and statistical models to solve complex resource allocation problems. His career included key roles at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). He served on numerous audit and review teams, helping to evaluate financial controls and the performance of government programs with integrity and precision.
Alongside his government service, Tom taught accounting and statistics at several institutions, including Montgomery College, Georgetown University, Kent State University, and the University of Maryland University College (UMUC). His calm demeanor, clarity of thought, and patient instruction made a lasting impression on countless students and colleagues.
After retiring in 2008, Tom relocated to Naples, Florida, where he found peace in the warm Gulf Coast sun and continued to live with quiet purpose, intellectual curiosity, and deep personal integrity.
Tom will be laid to rest, at a future date, with his beloved wife Candace at the Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, Florida, a place of honor befitting his life of service and dedication.
A celebration of life will be held on June 23rd, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Lakes Crossing Senior Center, 900 N. Gross Rd, Kingsland, Ga 31548.
Born on November 19, 1945, to Al and Joy Ruple, Tom was the eldest of four siblings and a quiet source of wisdom, strength, and intellect for those who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Linda Wotowa and Mark Ruple. He is survived by his youngest brother, Eric Ruple.
Tom was also preceded in death by his beloved wife, Candace Gonzalez, with whom he shared 15 meaningful years of marriage until her passing on May 8, 2023. As a widower, Tom moved to Kingsland, Ga to be close to his brother. The brothers enjoyed many hours at the St. Mary's waterfront watching the boaters and fishermen. While living at Lakes Crossing Senior Care his last two years, Tom had many 'walking buddies', friends and he enjoyed it immensely when children groups would come in and visit.
A lifelong learner and passionate educator, Tom earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Quantitative Methods from Kent State University. During graduate school, he served as a teaching assistant in statistics— an early sign of the impactful teaching career he would go on to build alongside his work in public service.
Tom spent his entire professional life working for the federal government, where he applied mathematical and statistical models to solve complex resource allocation problems. His career included key roles at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). He served on numerous audit and review teams, helping to evaluate financial controls and the performance of government programs with integrity and precision.
Alongside his government service, Tom taught accounting and statistics at several institutions, including Montgomery College, Georgetown University, Kent State University, and the University of Maryland University College (UMUC). His calm demeanor, clarity of thought, and patient instruction made a lasting impression on countless students and colleagues.
After retiring in 2008, Tom relocated to Naples, Florida, where he found peace in the warm Gulf Coast sun and continued to live with quiet purpose, intellectual curiosity, and deep personal integrity.
Tom will be laid to rest, at a future date, with his beloved wife Candace at the Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, Florida, a place of honor befitting his life of service and dedication.
A celebration of life will be held on June 23rd, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Lakes Crossing Senior Center, 900 N. Gross Rd, Kingsland, Ga 31548.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas Ruple, please visit our flower store.
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