David William Ruffu, 79, of Denton, Texas, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026, at home. He was born on August 27, 1946, in Dallas, Texas, to Sidney and Marie Ruffu. A 1964 graduate of Denton High School, David was a United States Army Veteran, serving from 1966 to 1969. The oldest of 12 siblings raised in Aubrey, Texas, he worked many trades throughout his life, from farm work to construction and remodeling, to antique collection and restoration. He spent decades as a stamp collector and historical document preservationist, donating to the Denton County Courthouse on the Square and collecting many WW2 letters. David dedicated years to higher education, studying Art, Business, and Real Estate at the University of North Texas, Nursing at Texas Woman's University, and Dermatology at Southwestern Medical School. David was a man of strong values: he led by example, insisted on honesty, and lived with quiet dignity. He was with his wife Debra for 38 years. A Christian in faith, he believed in God and principled living. He is survived by his spouse, Debra Ruffu; his daughter and son-in-law, Karessa and Damion Lewallen; his son and daughter-in-law, William and Dahreen Ruffu; his stepson, Wayne; and his two granddaughters, Marie and Julianna.

A Memorial Service will be held on May 31, 2026, at 4:00 PM at Mulkey-Bowles Montgomery Funeral Home. The interment will be at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas on June 1, 2026.