Sullivan Ruff

Sullivan Reginald Ruff, Jr. was born in Union, South Carolina on August 28, 1923 to Sullivan R. Ruff, Sr. and Sarah Eigner Ruff. He was their eleventh child. Sullivan graduated from Sims High School in Union, South Carolina and received a B.S. Degree in Chemistry from Allen University, Columbia, South Carolina, 1948; received a M.S. Degree in Chemistry from Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia, 1956; received a M.A. Degree in Education from Atlanta University, 1963; and received an EDS Degree from University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 1983.

Sullivan served in the Army during World War II as a Water Supply Technician in Burma. He served from 1944 – 1946. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal. Upon completion of his service, Sullivan returned to Allen University to complete his education and football career.

Sullivan taught Chemistry, Physics, and coached football in Rockhill, South Carolina from 1948-51. Sullivan moved to Marietta, Georgia where he was a teacher, coach, and principal from 1951-66. Sullivan moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee where he worked as a chemist at Atlas Chemical Company (T&T plant) from 1966- 69; worked as a Chemistry teacher and principal (Chattanooga High, Riverside High School, Howard (K-12), Avondale Elementary and Hardy Elementary) from 1969 to his retirement in 1992;. He also taught part-time Chemistry, Biology, and Physical Science at Chattanooga City College, from 1966-69.

Sullivan was initiated into Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Nu Sigma Chapter on May 28, 1943. He was an active member with Kappa Alpha Chapter in Rockhill, SC from 1948 to 1951; Eta Omega from 1952 to 1965 and Kappa Iota Chapter from 1966 to present. He was Omega Man of the Year in 1968 and 2009. Served as the Basileus from 1968 -1971. Sullivan was very active in other organizations throughout his life. They were AARP, American Legion, Allen University Alumni Association, Clark-Atlanta University Alumni Association, UTK Alumni Association, Chattanooga Hamilton County, Tennessee and National Education Associations. Served as president and treasurer of the following: CHCRTA, AARP and Washington Hills Neighborhood Association. Sullivan was a member of St. John United Methodist Church.

Sullivan married the late Gardina C. Ruff on October 18, 1947; four children, Sandra Ruff (Charles) Smith, Gardina LaNese Ruff (Franklin) Ellison, Sullivan R. (Patricia) Ruff, III and Haskell B. (Lynne) Ruff; six grandchildren, William Smith, DaUelle Tankersley Burgess, Dernard Tankersley, Sean Ruff, Sydnee Ruff and Alexis Ruff; nine great-grandchildren, Stoner Smith, Layla Smith, Langston Smith, Jasmine Burgess, Jackson Burgess, Jayla Burgess, James Tankersley, Jr., Gardenia Tankersley and Grace Tankersley. Sullivan loved his family, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, University of Tennessee football, University of Tennessee women’s basketball and college sports. He enjoyed a full life and will be missed by family and a host of others including friends, former teachers, students as well as Fraternity brothers. Best wishes, Sullivan, rest well.

Services will be held privately.

Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.