Ruford Joseph Bolchoz

Ruford J. Bolchoz, Sr., 90, husband of Margaret Budds Bolchoz, passed away on Thursday, December 13, 2018, at his residence with his family by his side. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Ruford J. Bolchoz are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 AM Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at Christ our King Catholic Church, 1149 Russell Drive, Mt. Pleasant. The Rite of Committal will follow at Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends between 4:00 and 6:00 PM on Monday afternoon at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy. The Rosary will be recited at 5:30 PM.

Ruford was born on July 31, 1928, in Charleston, a son of Frederick William Bolchoz,Sr. and Elizabeth Agnes Manning Bolchoz. He graduated from Bishop England High School in 1945. Further studies took place at the College of Charleston and St. Bernard Minor Seminary in Cullman, Alabama. He worked with Delta Air Lines before serving in the United States Army during the Korean War. After his discharge, Ruford and Margaret were married in 1954. He retired from Westvaco Corporation as the Kraft Division Information Systems Manager in 1991 after 38 years of service. He and his wife were co-owners of The Art Store in Charleston during the early 1970s. He was a past president of the Charleston Chapter of the former Data Processing Management Association, a past president of Bishop England High School's Triple B Club, its athletics boosters' organization, and a Past Grand Knight and honorary charter member of the Reverernd Monsignor J. Lawrence McLaughlin Council #9475 of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Reverend P.N. Lynch Assembly # 1071, Fourth Degree, Knights of Columbus and a charter member of the Reverend Monsignor John L. Manning Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He served as chairman of the committee responsible for the building of Christ Our King Church in 1978 and 1979. Ruford was a lifelong singer and active in the Church's Music Ministry over many years and was one of its original cantors. He also performed at the nursing centers and retirement communities in Mount Pleasant. A true lover of sports, he played basketball in high school and college and, in his early years, was active in youth baseball and basketball programs East of the Cooper River, both as a coach and commisioner. Ruford enjoyed and dabbled in acting, photography, writing and playing poker.

Ruford is survived by Margaret, his wife of 64 years; two sons, COL J. Manning Bolchoz, USA (Ret) (Maureen) and Dr. R. Joseph Bolchoz, Jr. (Patty); two daughters, Karen Bolchoz Ferguson (Lonnie) and Judith Bolchoz Callan (Les). He leaves eight grandchildren, Manning (Sarah), Ryan (Rebecca), Patrick, Trey (Melia), Beth (Andrew), Lonnie, Lauren and Ian. He also leaves twelve great grandchildren, Kaleb, Lilly, Aubrey, Quinlynn, Cord, Charlotte, Lonnie, Emmie, Carter, Fritz, Ford, and Sawyer. He is survived by his brother, John R. Bolchoz, sister, Mary Bolchoz Harrell, and sister-in-law, Alice Degnan Bolchoz. Also surviving are many nephews and nieces. Mr. Bolchoz is predeceased by his son, Charles Budds Bolchoz; two brothers, Dr. William M. Bolchoz and Laurence S. Bolchoz; two half brothers, Frederick W. Bolchoz Jr. and Earl A. Bolchoz; sister-in-law Maureen C. Bolchoz; and brother-in-law Dr. Allen L. Harrell.

His journey now ended, his purpose here served, Ruford found Eternal Life on December 13, 2018.

The Bolchoz family thanks Earnestine Manigault, Ruford's caregiver, and John Vorlick, Roper Hospice, for their loving care of Ruford.

Flowers are not desired, but please consider memorials to Christ Our King Church, 1149 Russell Drive, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 or the Bishop England High School Endowment Fund, 363 Seven Farms Drive
Charleston, SC.