Salem, VA-Bobby Jene Ruth, 83, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 7, 2025, at the Sheila S. Strauss Hospice House in Roanoke, VA.
He was born in Gate City, VA, to the late Robert (Bud) and Eddie May (Edna) Mathews Ruth.
Bob grew up in Big Stone Gap and enlisted in the Air Force. After leaving service, Bob worked as a millwright, installing and maintaining machinery in several factories in Virginia, West Virginia, and Louisiana. He also worked as a welder on several construction projects on the Virginia Tech campus and retired from the maintenance department of Volvo Trucks in Dublin, Va.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Judy, his half-sister Betty Ketron and his son in-law Craig Waters.
He is survived by his daughters from his former wife, Peggy; Kelly Sowder and her son, Cody (Rachel); Cynthia Waters and her daughter Victoria; his step-son Jeff (Lisa) Miles and their children Drew (Payton), Jack (Nathalie), Abbey and Sarah. The family is very appreciative of all of the love, care and support provided by his special friend, Linda Cunningham, until her passing in January 2023. The family would like to thank Dr. Brooks and the staff of the Blue Ridge Cancer Center for taking care of Bob during his illness, the staff at the Joseph C Thomas Center in Salem and the Good Samaritan Hospice staff.
There will be a private family service at a later time at Glencoe Cemetery in Big Stone Gap. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Gilliam Funeral Home. Those wishing to make a donation in Bob’s memory to the Sheila S. Strauss Hospice House, 4751 Cove Road NW Roanoke, VA 24017.