Boone Neal Ruff, age 103, Joplin, passed away at 2:58 a.m. Sunday, August 9, 2020 at his home after an illness.
Neal was born August 31, 1916 in Joplin, Missouri to the late Lloyd Ruff and Lola Neal Ruff and had lived in the Joplin area most of his life.
He graduated from Joplin High School and attended the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, where he studied engineering and played the trumpet. Neal worked at Eagle Picher Industries and Rocketdyne as an engineer for several years before moving to West Yellowstone, Montana, where he owned and operated the Hitching Post Motel. He retired in 1977 and moved back to Joplin.
Neal was born August 31, 1916 in Joplin, Missouri to the late Lloyd Ruff and Lola Neal Ruff and had lived in the Joplin area most of his life.
He graduated from Joplin High School and attended the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, where he studied engineering and played the trumpet. Neal worked at Eagle Picher Industries and Rocketdyne as an engineer for several years before moving to West Yellowstone, Montana, where he owned and operated the Hitching Post Motel. He retired in 1977 and moved back to Joplin.
Neal was a proud veteran of the United States Army Air Corps, serving during World War II as a fighter pilot. He flew in 74 combat missions in the Central Pacific and witnessed the atomic bomb explosion as he flew out on one of his missions. Neal did his own navigating and radio work in his small, single engine plane. He flew by instruments only. Neal was awarded several medals and citations, including the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with Seven Oak Leaf Clusters and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal.
Neal was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. It was during the time he spent at the Joplin Regional Airport that he developed a love for flying. He also loved the outdoors. Neal enjoyed fly fishing and hunting. He shot guns his whole life-all the way to the age of 103! He took his last hunting and fishing trip with his son at the age of 100. He lived life to the fullest and will be missed by everyone that knew and loved him.
Neal married Crystal Hawes on October 10, 1963 in Miami, Oklahoma. She survives.
Additional survivors include his children, Dr. Sandra Jennings, Joplin, Sally Martin, New Braunfels, Texas, David Ruff and wife, Gaye, Springdale, Arkansas; seven grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.
Memorial services are planned for Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery with full Military honors. Honorary pallbearers will be Henry Robertson, Jimmy Ross, Bob Reid and Brandon Spaugy.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Joplin Humane Society or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in care of the mortuary. A memorial book is available for signatures at Parker Mortuary and also online at www.parkermortuary.com.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.
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