Jacob Michael Ruddick

Jacob Michael Ruddick, aka Jake or Pablo, 21, formerly of Gaston, lost his young life in a tragic car accident on October 24, 2021.

Jacob was born on December 20, 1999, in Muncie. He was a 2018 graduate of Wes-Del High School. He currently worked as a leadman at AZZ of Muncie. Jake’s biggest and proudest title was Daddy. He loved his daughter more than anything else in this world. Jake also loved trucks, from Hot-Wheels, to working on them, to simply driving around listening to music. You could usually find him looking for one, working on one, or in one. Jake was known as a good ol’ boy that lived life to the fullest, dreamed big, and worked hard at everything. Jake had a big bright smile that could light up the room and had an even bigger heart. Jake loved his family and friends fiercely and will be missed by many.

Jake leaves behind his one true love and best friend, Kaileigh Clifford; his pride and joy daughter, Kennedy Grace Ruddick; father, James “Michael” Ruddick; mother, Jan Michelle Emrick (husband Shaun); bonus parents, Mike and Kyle McKnight; three brothers, Joshua, James “Luke”, and Abe Ruddick; a stepbrother, Chris Emrick; sister, Maelei Ruddick; stepsister, Catie Emrick; bonus sister and brother, Alexys Clifford and Michael McKnight; paternal grandma, Betty Lofton; Paternal grandparents, James and Julie Ruddick; maternal great-grandparents, Ray and Agnes Cain; Maternal grandparents, Stephen and Diana Glass; aunt, Jennifer Davidson; two uncles, Jeff Glass and Eric Davidson; and several cousins and many dear friends.

Jake was preceded in death by his paternal great-grandparents, Bill and Vivian Lofton and James and Flora Ruddick; maternal great-grandparents, Gene and Rosie Glass; aunt, Julie Key Dalrymple; his little brother, Harlan Haines; and several friends and various family members.

A funeral service to celebrate Jake’s life will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, October 29, 2021, at Gant Funeral Homes – Gaston Chapel, 109 W. Elm St. in Gaston. Pastor Brandon Petro will officiate. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory Cemetery.

Friends and family may gather to share and remember from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm Friday, at Gant Funeral Homes -Gaston Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be given to a trust fund set up for his daughter, Kennedy Grace, in care of Jan Emrick or Kaileigh Clifford.

Share a memory of Jake and leave your condolences at www.gantfuneralhomes.com

The Gant and Miller families are honored to celebrate Jake’s life with his family and community.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jacob Michael Ruddick, please visit our floral store.