Hilton Lamar Ruth, Jr.

Hilton Lamar Ruth, Jr, better known as “Jack,” died June 3, 2026 at the age of 95. He was born November 19, 1930 in Rock Hill, SC, son of the late Hilton Lamar Ruth and Dorothy Meroney Ruth. Mr. Ruth graduated from Kings Mountain High School in 1949, where he is a member of the Kings Mountain Sports Hall of Fame. He graduated from Davidson College in 1953 where he was quarterback on the football team, President of the student body and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Fraternity. After graduation, he joined American Trust Company in Charlotte and was in banking for 42 years in Charlotte, Fayetteville, Lumberton, Concord, and Hendersonville. While in banking Jack served as Chairman of the Carolina School of Banking, President of the Young Bankers Division and President of the North Carolina Bankers Association. In Hendersonville, Mr. Ruth served as President of the United Way, President of the Chamber of Commerce, President of Hendersonville Country Club and President of the UNCA Foundation.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Betty Kate Jones Ruth, and his children: Dorothy Elizabeth “Libby” Ruth of Monroe, NC; HL “Trip” Ruth III of Concord, NC; and R David Ruth and wife, Eva, of Kings Mountain, NC. He is survived by six grandchildren: Carolyn, HL IV, and Will Ruth; Andrew (Claire) Ruth, Mary Kate (Jayson) Humphrey, and Maggie (Timmy) Clifton and affectionally known as “Pop” to eight great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at The Pines, Davidson, NC at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 13, 2026, followed by visitation and a reception celebrating Jack’s life. A graveside service will be on Sunday at 10:00 am at the Mountain Rest Cemetery, Kings Mountain, NC. Memorials may be made to The Residents Fund at The Pines, 400 Avinger Lane, Davidson, NC 28036.

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ARRANGEMENTS: HARRIS FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, KINGS MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA