Max Edward Ruggs of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Monday morning, September 26, 2016, at his home northwest of Blackwell at the age of 82 years.

Max Edward Ruggs was born on July 18, 1934, in Blackwell to John Edwin and Leona May (Nichols) Ruggs. He grew up south of Sumpter until his mother's death in 1935, when they moved northwest of Blackwell. At the age of five he moved with his family to California where he attended Friendship and Lone Tree Schools in Kerman, California. After two years he returned to Blackwell where he lived with his aunt and uncle, Joe and Lillian Ruggs. When Max entered junior high school he returned to California. After eighth grade he moved back to live with Joe and Lillian and completed his education in the Blackwell Public Schools graduating in 1952. He later received college hours from Northern Oklahoma Junior College in Tonkawa. He married Charlotte Loraine Stewart on March 28, 1953, in Bentonville, Arkansas, and they settled in Blackwell where he worked for the Blackwell Zinc Company for twenty-two years and farmed all his life. In 1984 his Uncle Joe and Aunt Lillian adopted Max and his sister. Max enjoyed farming and teaching his children the value of working hard. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren during the holidays. His hobbies included playing cards and working the land. He was a member of the First Christian Church and CO-OP in Blackwell. Other memberships include Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association and National Cattlemen's Association. He received several awards from the Oklahoma Soil Conservation and served on the Blackwell School Board for five years.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Charlotte Ruggs of Blackwell; a daughter, Jodi Norman and husband Dennis of Las Vegas, Nevada; three sons, Bruce Ruggs of Ponca City, Glenn Ruggs and wife Dee Anne of Glenpool, Oklahoma, and Steve Ruggs and wife Katrina of Norman, Oklahoma; a sister, Glenda Lee Priest and husband Dan of La Fayette, Georgia; eight grandchildren, Jenny Ruggs of Stillwater, Emily Ruggs-Weaver and husband Cole of Tulsa, Kyle Ruggs stationed in California, Blake Ruggs of Stillwater, Wylie Ruggs of Norman, Jarett Norman of Scottsdale, Arizona, Cully Norman of Las Vegas, and Gable Norman of Las Vegas; and a special thank you to friend, Kenneth Kivett.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his adoptive parents; and two brothers, Harold and Jack Ruggs.

Services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 29th in the First Christian Church in Blackwell with Rev. Jeff Koch officiating. Following the service cremation will be effected with burial in the Blackwell Cemetery at a later date.

Casketbearers will be his grandchildren, Kyle Ruggs, Blake Ruggs, Wylie Ruggs, Jarett Norman, Cully Norman, Gable Norman, Jenny Ruggs, Emily Ruggs-Weaver and Cole Weaver. Honorary casketbearers will be Fred LeValley, Max Smyth, Norman Deffner, Floyd Hildebrand, Patrick Deffner, Dan Priest, Reuben Cruize, Bill Merchant, Jim Stuever, Elmore Bathurst, Larry Shields, Keith Jeffries and Robert Peetoom.

A memorial has been established in his honor with Hospice of North Central Oklahoma in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.