Christopher Andrew Ruby
It is with a great deal of sadness that the family of Christopher Andrew Ruby, aka Falcon Man, announces his passing on December 12, 2023 after many years of declining health.
Chris was born in Chattanooga on July 14, 1964. When he was a few years old, he was adopted by Walter M. Ruby, Jr. and Nancy H. Ruby, both of whom predeceased him. He is survived by brothers, John, Michael, and Peter as well as his stepmother, Nancy B. Ruby.
Chris grew up on Signal Mountain and in Jackson, Tn. and returned to Signal Mountain and attended and graduated from Red Bank High School. He was confirmed at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church. Coming of age in the eighties in Chattanooga, Chris was in a friend group that is still close today. More than once, he survived multiple car wrecks and breakdowns, impromptu bottle rocket wars, cruising on Brainerd Road, and trying to four wheel in a Volvo sedan. Chris and his stories were larger than life. He earned his nickname “Falcon Man” from his first car, a Ford Falcon. Once, when it broke down near the space house, it was decorated without his knowledge by some of these rowdy friends and turned into a monument adorned with an old commode on top and a makeshift tombstone.
Chris worked in sales and warehouse management for TN Office Products and Hughes Supply. Mention a product or a part, and Chris could and would rattle off the product number, and he always had pens. For 10 years more recently, he was a supervisor at a local call center.
Chris was a big man with a big personality. He had no enemies, and friends and family remember him as having a wicked sense of humor, being kind, being genuine, as a good listener, and funny.
Just as Chris knew product numbers, he knew obscure characters from B movies. In addition, it would be impossible to count how many lines from Seinfeld that he could quote. Jerry said, “According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two? Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.”
The struggles that Chris has faced in recent years have brought out the best in the brothers; regardless of their differences and distance, they made every effort to not let him walk alone. A couple of those “rowdy friends” have gone above and beyond to be there for Chris; I think you know who you are.
Final arrangements are pending. However, as we head into this season, let's remember what the reason for the season is - - Chris would walk into a room and announce, “I put the Chris in Christmas.”
Rest in peace, Chris; you are missed.
Arrangements are by the Cremation Center of Chattanooga, 1345 Hickory Valley Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.