John Robert Rufty,

John "Johnny" Robert Rufty, age 74, of Taylorsville, passed away on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital. He was born on February 8, 1940 in Alexander County to the late Pleas and Texie Leona Mays Rufty. Johnny was retired from Broyhill Furniture with 40 years of perfect attendance. He was an active and faithful member of St. Luke Lutheran Church and was a veteran of the NC National Guard. Johnny was a charter member of Alexander County Rescue Squad, President of Taylorsville Flying Service, and had been a pilot for over 50 years. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother: Donald William Rufty; sister: Betty Jane Rufty Carrigan; nephew: Darrell Robinette; niece: Susan Carrigan Brown; and infant niece: Kristen Carrigan. Those left to cherish his memory include fiance: Mary Ann Absher and family; niece: Pat Robinette and husband Ralph of Taylorsville; nephews: John Carrigan and wife Frances of Taylorsville, Tom Carrigan and wife Jackie of Taylorsville, and Kent Rufty and fiance, Rose Adams of Taylorsville; great nieces: Teresa Johnson, Krystal Carrigan and boyfriend, Drew Mason, Landa Rufty, Victoria Rufty, Liza Robinette, Lauren Connor, and Danielle Walker; great nephews: Donald Robinette, Josh Rufty, Zac Carrigan, Justin Robinette, Avery Robinette, and Garrett Robinette; and step granddaughters: Sheree Fox and Jennifer Smart.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 18, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at St. Luke Lutheran Church. The service will begin at 5:00 p.m. with the Rev. Andrew Miller officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers include Donald Robinette, Josh Rufty, Justin Robinette, Avery Robinette, Garrett Robinette, and Zac Carrigan. Honorary Pallbearers will be Joey Simmons, Dale Johnson, and the pilots of the Taylorsville Air Service. Full Military Rites will be provided by NC National Guard and DAV Post 84 of Taylorsville and Post 6 of Hudson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church: 1364 Church Rd.; Taylorsville, NC 28681.