Lion James Ruff was born in Lehr, ND. He attended country school and Lehr Public School. He helped his father farm and also did off farm work. As a Sales Representative for a major seed company he attended numerous seminars with Dale Carnegie on how to become more motivated and later attended various classes on sales and marketing.
On June 5, 1960 James married Kathleen Boschee. They resided on the family farm. She joined the Lehr Lions Club immediately when it was opened to women in 1988. Three daughters were born to this union. They farmed together and James did heating and air conditioning to supplement the income.
In August of 1974 a tornado went through the farm and destroyed nine buildings. Fortunately the home was left untouched.
On January 13, 1996 Lion Kathleen passed away after a bout with cancer. James discontinued farming, renting out the land, but continued residing on the farm. He went full time doing service work in the heating and air conditioning profession.
James was involved in getting the Dakota Heartland Champion Community established in 2002 with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). He was elected president and still holds that office after seven years. The DHCC consists of seven surrounding towns: Ashley, Edgeley, Kulm, Lehr, Napoleon, Wishek, and Zeeland, North Dakota. These communities are all involved in economic development.
He is also a board member of the Logan County Job Development Authority (JDA). James also previously served on other boards.
James joined the Lehr Lions Club in 1978 four years after its charter. He has served as club secretary and president for numerous years. He has sponsored 25 new members in his club. He has also served his District 5NC as zone chairman, region chairman and cabinet secretary and treasurer. In the summer of 2008 he attended the Great Plains Lions Leadership Institut. In the fall of 2008 James also attended the USA Canada Forum. He was instrumental in organizing an extension workshop which resulted in the starting of two new North Dakota clubs. On February 28, 2009 his club celebrated its 35th anniversary. James was Master of Ceremonies for the event. 13 Lions club representatives from District 5 NC attended the event and a good time was had by all.
Late one wintry evening in January of 2003, James received a call from a 'damsel in distress' that her furnace was not working. Eleven months later that damsel named Donna became the bride of her "furnace man". To this day 'he has been able to keep her warm in the winter and cool in the summer.' After coming home from their honeymoon, Donna was invited by James to her first Lions meeting in January of 2004. That evening she became the Lehr Lions clubs newest member.
James's philosophy in life is to use his strengths & personal experience acquired from 30 years of serving in different Lions leadership roles. His goal is to be an example to other Lions so that they have the desire to be motivated because of his enthusiasm for volunteerism. (Lionism).
He has enjoyed the past year of training and getting acquainted with his 8 other fellow DGE's from Multiple District 5. He 'thanks' his mentors: PID Bruce Schwartz and PDG's Brach and Marion Johnson for encouraging him to take the position.
He is looking forward to this new challenge and will work in promoting the new motto : MOVE TO GROW as he will strive to continue to increase membership in the large and small cities of North Dakota.