Memorial Fund: Patrick Ruth, killed in T-45 crash

On Sunday October 1, 2017, the unimaginable happened. Patrick Ruth, Navy Instructor Pilot, was killed in a T-45 crash during a training mission in the Cherokee National Forest. This happened just weeks before Patrick and his college sweetheart, Jessica Fugitt, were to be married. This fundraiser is designed to help pay for sudden unexpected costs, and help create a memorial at the crash site and NAS Meridian where he flew the T-45 Goshawk.

Jessica described Patrick in such perfect words, written below:

Patrick Ruth was an incredible man. He lived a new adventure everyday and loved the life he got to live with all of you. He was full of bravado and laughter. He did everything full speed, but not in haste. He was thoughtful, unceasingly generous, and always ready to pick up the fallen.

In the quiet moments he loved even bigger and fuller than he lived; unconditionally, without reservation or fear, with utmost patience and completely. He never took a kiss for granted and never let a morning go by without telling me he loved me. I often found myself hoping to be more like he was.

For the past 5 or 6 years I have wished, at every falling star, eyelash, and birthday that I could make him happy for the rest of his life. He never knew what I wished but always said, “samesies.” The world has lost someone incredible.

Thank you for your support.