TOPEKA, Kan. – Ruffin Blake McDaniel died at the age of 57 on Nov. 13, 2021, after a courageous fight against cancer. Throughout it all he never lost hope or his humor. He passed at his home in Topeka, Kan., surrounded by loved ones. He was born July 8, 1964, to James and Shirley McDaniel; and engaged to Shelley Jensen in November 2018.

He graduated from Lyndon High School in 1983, and attended the University of Kansas before graduating from Washburn University. Ruffin lived life to the fullest, spending his time with family and friends, cheering on the Jayhawks and Royals, photographing nature, and chasing any big storm he could find.

He is survived by his father, James; his fiancée, Shelley, and her children, Taygen Jensen, Bryce Stallons and Adison Breshears; and his siblings, Darin McDaniel, Tobin McDaniel, and Reghan (John) Cloudman. He was a loving uncle to his nephews, Logan and Rhett McDaniel, and his niece, Paige Cloudman. He was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley.

A celebration of Ruffin’s life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Willows Bend, Carbondale; see https://www.willowsbendwedding.com/. Guests are asked to wear Kansas Jayhawk attire or red and blue per Ruffin’s request. Burial will follow in the Lyndon Cemetery. Ruffin will lie in state 4-6 p.m. and the family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, at Feltner Funeral Home, Lyndon, Kan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Ruffin McDaniel Memorial Fund (for a scholarship for Taygen Jensen), sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. Condolences can be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.

Ruffin’s family would like to thank everyone who has provided love and support throughout his life – truly making it one worth living. His love and laughter touched so many, and he will be forever missed.