Colonel Larry Dean Ruggley, United States Army (Retired), age 71 of Butler, KY passed away unexpectedly on September 3, 2023. COL Ruggley retired from the United States Army after 34 years of service where he was a Special Forces Green Beret.
He will always be remembered as a loving husband and devoted family man, enjoying his final years in his favorite role of Grandpa. He loved the life that him and his wife built, driving his tractor around the farm, and could be seen at his grandchildrens’ sporting events.
COL Ruggley was born in Bluffton, Ohio and preceded in death by his parents Harold and Mildred (Grismore) Ruggley. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Marie Ruggley; his children, Monica Ruggley, Sabrina (Christian Hutchinson) Hazen, Brian (Erica) Ruggley and Annina Ruggley; his sister Peggy Ruggley; his nephew Ray (Sue) Ruggley Jr.; and grandchildren, Nicholas, Cameron, and Madison Mandel, Ava Ruggley, Nathaniel Hazen, Ella Ruggley, Kaylin Parsons and Grace Hutchinson.
COL Ruggley began his military career in 1971 when he enlisted in the Army and served in the Army Security Agency, being Honorably Discharged in 1973, after which he attended Lima Technical College and Ohio University.
He enrolled in ROTC and graduated from the Army Ranger School during the summer of 1977 and was selected as the Distinguished Military Graduate from Ohio University receiving a Regular Army commission in the Infantry in 1978. He later completed his Masters Degree in Administration from Central Michigan University and received a Masters Degree in Military Studies while attending the US Army War College.
As an Infantry Officer and later Special Forces Officer he served in numerous leadership positions from Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Battalion Commander, and finally Garrison Commander. His first assignment was with the Berlin Brigade, West Berlin as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Scout Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Battalion Assistant Operations Officer with the 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry.
He then volunteered to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course (Honor Graduate), and went on to complete numerous other leadership assignments: Detachment Commander, High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) Detachment Commander and Battalion Operations Officer (S3) 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Ft Bragg, NC.
He was then assigned to Ft Ord, Ca as the B Company Commander, 3rd Battalion, 17th Infantry and Company Commander HHC, 4th Battalion, 21st Infantry, 7th Infantry Division (Light). It was during this time he transferred from the Infantry to Special Forces (Green Beret).
After completion of the Command and General Staff College and promotion to Major he was assigned as D Company Commander, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Upon promotion to Lieutenant Colonel he served as the J1 Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR). During this time, he also served as the J1 for SOC IFOR supporting operations in Bosnia.
He was then selected to command the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne). His unit participated in the African Crisis Response Initiative in Malawi and Uganda and numerous other missions in Africa.
After command, he became the Deputy Director of Training and Doctrine and then Chief of Staff of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School until 2000. After completing the Army War College and promotion to Colonel he was assigned to the Army Special Operations Command as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel from 2001–2003.
He was then selected to be the Garrison Commander at Fort Campbell, Ky home of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 5th Special Forces Group, and 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. During his 3-year tenure he oversaw superb support during a tumultuous time for the 101st Airborne Division as they redeployed from war, transformed and redeployed to Iraq the following year.
COL Ruggley’s many awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/4OLC, Joint Service Commendation Medal w/ 1OLC, Army Commendation Medal w/1OLC, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal 3/OLC, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal 1/ OLC, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and NATO Medal. He also has been awarded the Ranger Tab and Special Forces Tab, is a Master Parachutist, HALO Parachutist, and holds the Expert Infantryman Badge.
In lieu of flowers the Ruggley family ask that individuals make a donation to the Tunnel for Towers Foundation (T2T.org) in COL Ruggley’s name.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at Cooper Funeral Home from 1:00-4:00 p.m. A second visitation will be held on Monday, September 11, 2023 at St. Mary’s of the Assumption, 8246 E Main St, Alexandria, KY 41001 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian burial will promptly start at 11:00 a.m.
COL Larry Dean Ruggley will be laid to rest at a future date in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC.
Cooper Funeral Home is serving the family.
