Charles Edward Ruth

Charles Edward “Chuck” Ruth, age 95, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Loving Care Adult Foster Home in North Bend, OR. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at the North Bend Chapel, 2014 McPherson Avenue in North Bend.

Chuck was born on December 30, 1930, in Martinez, CA as the only child of Ralph C. Ruth and Mabel S. (Kernutt) Ruth.  The family moved to Eugene, OR when Chuck was five years old.  He graduated from University High School in Eugene in 1948, and later served for two years in the United States Army as a cryptographer, stationed in Frankfurt, Germany.

Chuck began his career in the grocery business as a boxboy in Eugene at age 15.  He began working for McKay’s Markets in 1959, and worked for the firm until his retirement in 1989.  McKay’s had only two stores in 1959, and Chuck helped to guide the company from that humble beginning to its position as a major regional grocery firm with 34 stores at its greatest extent.  By the time he retired McKay’s had stores throughout western Oregon and Northern California.

Chuck was an avid hunter, fisherman, and hiker throughout his life, and enjoyed encouraging and teaching his family to enjoy the outdoors.  He also enjoyed gardening, maintaining a large vegetable garden, and building a solar-heated greenhouse as an addition on to the family home.  He converted the fields around his home into rhododendron production, and sold the plants through the McKay’s chain of stores.  If you purchased a rhododendron from a McKay’s grocery store in the 1970’s, 80’s, or 90’s, Chuck grew it.

Chuck was preceded in death by his son Thomas Ruth.  He is survived by his wife, Patty Ruth, of Coos Bay, daughter Barbara (Ruth) Young and her husband Tim Young of Coos Bay; grandchildren Michael Ruth (and Sasha) of Medford, OR and Brian Ruth (and Miranda Thompson) of Eagle Point, OR; Aaron Young (and Evelyn) of Bend, OR; Corey Young (and Gretchen) of Grants Pass, OR; Stephanie (Young) Merritt (and Tyson) of Coos Bay, OR; and David Young (and Danielle) of Coos Bay, OR; and ten great-grandchildren: Sydney, Maggie, Natasha, Hanna, Ayzli, Jason, Vienna, Ryan, Carson, and Ellie.

Friends and family are encouraged to sign the online guestbook at www.coosbayareafunerals.com and www.theworldlink.com. Arrangements are under the care of North Bend Chapel, 541-756-0440.

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