Roy Michael "Mike" Ruppert Sr.

Roy Michael "Mike" Ruppert Sr., 90, retired U.S. Army Reserve Colonel and prominent businessman, died December 21, 2024 at his home surrounded by his large and loving family.

Born to Roy F. Ruppert and Gae (Smith) Ruppert in the community of Grove, West Virginia on March 29, 1934, Mike graduated from Doddridge County High School, and West Virginia University with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. He entered the U.S. Army after graduation from WVU, married the love of his life, Mary Ann Baniak, and accumulated 33 years of service in Active Duty, the National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserve. For several years Mike was a Senior Parachutist in the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and often said he enjoyed jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. During his military service he was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal; as well as the 87th Maneuver Area Command Golden Acorn Award for Distinguished Service.

Mike founded several businesses in Georgia and the East Tennessee area, and was the former owner of Southeastern Energy in Louisville, Tennessee. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge and he lived his life based upon the Freemason values of integrity, kindness, honesty and fairness.

He and his wife Mary Ann enjoyed many years of cruises and travel, as well as family trips to Mexico, Florida and West Virginia.

Mike was an avid hunter and actively supported many hunter-based conservation organizations. After his retirement he was fortunate to have hunted big game in many places throughout the world, but his favorite spot was his hunting cabin in his beloved West Virginia, where he hosted friends and family during deer and turkey seasons.

When he wasn’t in the woods hunting deer and turkeys, Mike enjoyed a good round of golf with friends, watching West Virginia and Tennessee football, and working on his farm raising the world’s best tomatoes and blackberries.

His parents and his older sister Maybelle preceded Mike in death. His wife of 64 years, Mary Ann Ruppert, died in 2020.

He is survived by his son R. Michael Ruppert Jr. (Julie), and his daughter Vanessa Ruppert Morgan (Charlie); three grandchildren: Parker Morgan (Ashley), Madison Ruppert (Pei Pei), and Dillon Morgan; five great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials made to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org.

Family will receive friends at Davis Funeral Home West Union, 212 Front Street West Union, WV, on Saturday, December 28, 2024 from 12Noon until the time of the funeral service at 1:00pm. Interment will follow at West Union Masonic Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.DavisFuneralHomeWestUnionWV.com.  Davis Funeral Home – West Union is honored to serve the Ruppert family.

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