God is continually with Jerry; God holds him with His right hand, He guides him with His counsel, and now has received Jerry into His loving arms. (Psalms 73:23-24).
Gerald Paul Rufe (Jerry) was born September 8, 1966 and went home to be with the Lord March 14, 2021. Jerry is survived by his wife Valerie, son Jake, daughter Jillie Walker and her husband Chris; his siblings Elaine McGarry (and family), Paul Rufe, Elm Rufe (and family), along with Val’s siblings, the Wade Ostrander family, Todd Ostrander family, Andrea Thoenes family, and father-in-law Keith Ostrander. He is reunited with his parents Elmer and Clare Rufe, mother-in-law Dorothy Ostrander, and sisters-in-law Jenifer Ostrander, and Soni Ostrander.
Our family wants to thank people around the world for praying for Jerry’s healing, and we want you to know, He has fully healed but not here on earth. We thank you for your love and kindness. We know that Jerry loved Jesus and that Jesus was his Savior, and we celebrate that we know where Jerry is. Jerry would remind you all that choosing Christ and following Him is the most important thing in life. You will leave footprints in this world, and your goal is that they would lead straight to Jesus.
Jerry was gifted in so many ways. Jerry was a loving husband, super fan dad, our best friend, and our hero. He invested himself in those around him. He loved well. He coached, laughed, told stories and jokes, encouraged others, and led naturally. He was a devoted teacher of the Word to college students. He was the most quick-witted man we all knew and, of course, loved the book of Judges in the Bible. He also taught martial arts and engineering classes at work. Graduating from UAH with a degree in math, he was passionate about his life’s vocation at APT research and his work family. He loved math so much so that God took him home on Pi day: 3/14. He enjoyed his work at APT Research and cherished his work family. He had a lifestyle of learning, wasn’t afraid to have an adventure, try something new, and always worked to challenge his mind. But none of the things he did mattered as much as who he was. As Jerry always said (and did) love your spouse well, hug your kids tight, take time to ask the waitress how you can pray for her, enjoy God, and remember “life is too serious,” so don’t forget to laugh.
Funeral arrangements are at Whitesburg Baptist Church at the sanctuary at the main campus on Saturday, March 20, at 11:00 AM. The family will receive friends at 10:00AM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you give in Jerry’s name to The Gideons International so that the power of God’s saving Gospel is available to others and the life changing sacrifice of Christ is evident over all.
