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The $4.5 billion Robins Financial Credit Union in Warner Robins, Ga., announced Tuesday the passing of John S. Ruffin Sr., its former president/CEO, who died peacefully on Oct. 7 in Athens surrounded by his loving family.
He was 88.
Before joining the credit union in 1997, Ruffin worked for more than 26 years at the NCUA, including serving 12 years as the regional director of the Atlanta and Austin regions. He served as Robins Financial's EVP from 1997 to 2003 before being named president/CEO in 2004. He retired in 2008.
John S. Ruffin Sr. During his CEO tenure, Robins Financial grew assets from $850 million to $1.1 billion, while loans increased from $504 million to $733 million, according to NCUA financial performance reports.
"We extend our deepest condolences to John's family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him. Mr. Ruffin's legacy of leadership, kindness and commitment to service will be remembered fondly by all of us," Robins Financial Credit Union President/CEO Christina O'Brien said in a prepared statement.
Ruffin was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Frances Marie Robilio. He is survived by his five children and his sister, Margaret Ruffin Hardwick, according to his obituary posted by Lord & Stephens Funeral Home in Watkinsville.
Graveside services were held on Oct. 11 at Oconee Memorial Park.
The family suggested memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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Editor-in-Chief at CU Times. To connect, email at [email protected]. As Editor-in-Chief of CU Times since 2016, Michael Ogden has led the editorial team in all aspects of content strategy and execution, including the creation of the publication’s exclusive and proprietary research database of the credit union industry’s economic landscape. Under Michael’s leadership, CU Times has successfully shifted to an all-digital editorial product with new focuses on the payments, fraud, lending and regulatory beats. Most recently, he introduced a data-focused editorial product for subscribers that breaks down credit union issues into hard data, allowing for a deeper and more factual narrative for readers. In 2024, he launched the "Shared Accounts With CU Times" podcast, which offers a fresh, inside-the-newsroom perspective through interviews with leaders from the credit union industry and the regulatory world. He dives into pressing credit union issues, while revealing the personalities working behind-the-scenes to push the credit union world forward. His background includes years as a radio and TV anchor/reporter and a public relations and digital/social media manager, where he covered the food and music industries, as well as cooperatives and credit unions. Over the years, he has launched numerous exclusive video and podcast series, including a successful series of interactive backstage interviews with musicians at music festivals, showcasing his social media and live streaming production skills.
