Keith Rugel

KEITH D. RUGEL, 80, of Jefferson City, TN passed away Saturday evening, June 3, 2017 at 11:00 p.m. at Jefferson Memorial Hospital surrounded by family and friends. Keith was born December 26, 1936 at the family farm, The Homeplace, Rocktown Road, Jefferson City, TN. He was a graduate of the class of 1955 from Jefferson City High School and attended Carson Newman University. He was a lifelong member of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church and later First United Methodist Church of Jefferson City, where he served on many committees and boards until his illness. Keith was CEO and President of Rugel Church Furnishings, Jefferson City, TN. He was a true craftsman and was instrumental in the church furniture industry. He proudly furnished more than 50,000 churches, courthouses, chapels and funeral homes throughout the U. S. and abroad. Keith was a member of the Executive Board and Board of Directors of First Peoples Bank, Jefferson County, TN. This, he felt, was a great accomplishment in serving Jefferson, Hamblen, Knox and surrounding counties. An avid collector of 1934 Fords, he shared this love and knowledge of automobiles with people near and far. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Pauline Rugel; his grandparents, Willie Benton and Julia Rugel and Ed and Katy Robeson; his step-grandmother, Anona Robeson; his mother-in-law, Pauline Baskette; and his niece, Jennifer Leigh Catlett. Keith is survived by his true-love of 56 years, Patricia Baskette Rugel; his devoted daughter Paula Rugel Gibson and unwavering son-in-law, Joe Gibson of the Homeplace, Jefferson City, and Keith’s joy of life, their beloved children, Julia Ann and William Benton Rugel Gibson; faithful sister, Betty Rugel Catlett and her husband, Charles (Buddy); his nephews, Chuck (Sandy) Catlett and Ben (Jennifer) Catlett; his brother-in-law, Johnny (Sue) Baskette; his niece and nephew, Kimberly (Ronald) Baskette Winstead, and John (Charissa) Baskette; step-grandchildren Chris and Megan Gibson; and several cousins, nieces and nephews; many life-long friends, associates, and the Rugel Church Furniture family. The family will receive friends at Farrar Funeral Home in Jefferson City on Wednesday, June 7th, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held on Thursday, June 8th, at 1:00 pm at First Baptist Church in Jefferson City with the burial to follow at Jefferson Memorial Gardens, Jefferson City. Memorials may be made to Keith Rugel Memorial at All Saints’ Episcopal School, 3275 Maple Valley Road, Morristown, TN 37813, or the charity of your choice. ARRANGEMENTS BY FARRAR FUNERAL HOME IN JEFFERSON CITY, TN 865-475-3892