Jack E. Fruth, 77, died Tuesday, July 19, 2005, in St. Mary's Medical Center in Huntington.

He was born June 3, 1928, in Mason, son of the late Henry Edward and Marjorie Mae Rothgeb Fruth.

Fruth is survived by his wife, Frances Elizabeth "Babs" Rhodes Fruth, whom he married in December 1950. Mrs. Fruth is a graduate of The Ohio State University School of Home Economics, and originally is from South Charleston, Ohio.

They are the parents of five children: Michael Edward Fruth, Joan Elizabeth Fruth, Carol Rhodes Fruth, Lynne Morrow Fruth (John Rothgeb) and Joyce Hamm Fruth. Grandchildren are Stephanie, Christopher and Alexander Fruth, of Kohomo, Ind., Nicole and Elizabeth Trovato and Michael David Fruth, of Hurricane, W.Va., and Patrick Fruth-McCormick and Thomas Foust of Point Pleasant.

Fruth also leaves behind a sister, Kathryn Fruth and brother-in-law Louis Rossi; sister-in-law Winnie Strathern, and brother-in-law, Steve and Mary Rhodes. Also, nephews and nieces: James and Sharry Rossi, Edward and Judy Crooks, W. Gene and Nancy Crooks, Jeanettte and Danny Thomas, Amy and Boyd Taylor, Julie and Tim Heaton, Lincoln Rhodes, and a host of grand nieces and nephews and close friends.

He was preceded in death by sisters, Henrietta Fruth Rossi and Emogene Fruth Crooks; nephew Henry David Rossi, and niece Pamela Crooks Ewing

Fruth attended Mason Grade School, Buffalo Junior High, and graduated from Greenbrier Military School in 1946. He attended Duke University from 1946-48, and graduated from The Ohio State University School of Pharmacy with a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy in 1951. He was a member of Kappa PSI Pharmaceutical Fraternity and Pi Kappa Alpha Social Fraternity; a graduate of Dale Carnegie Course; held an honorary master's degree of public service from the University of Rio Grande in 1986, a poctovate degree of public service from the University of Rio Grande in 1999.

He was the founder and first president of Hidden Valley Country Club, was a members of Minturn Lodge No. 19, A.F. and A.M., was a member of the board of trustees at Pleasant Valley Hospital since 1958 (having served as president from 1982-83); was vice-president of the Mason County Development Authority; was former director of the Point Pleasant-Mason County Chamber of Commerce (having served as president in 1968); served on the board of directors for the Green Acres Center for Mentally Retarded from 1960-67 (having served as chairman 1962).

Fruth was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Point Pleasant, where he was chairman of the finance committee and a member of the board.

He was director of Peoples Bank since 1965, chairman of the bank's executive committee from 1965-1988, and chairman of the board from 1988-98. He was director of the City Holding Company from 1986-1998.

Fruth was a member of the University of Rio Grande Board of Trustees, having served as president of the board from 1996-98.

His professional activities included membership in the West Virginia Pharmacists Association, having served as president in 1973; former member of the Ohio State Pharmaceutical Association; member of the Associated Chain Drug Stores, Inc. (having served on the board of directors); served as national chairman of the Affiliated Associated Drug Stores from 1989-90; and was a member of the West Virginia State Board of Pharmacy.

His awards included the Bowl of Hygeia Award For Community Service by West Virginia Pharmacists Association in 1975; the James H. Beal Award by West Virginia Pharmacists Association in 1995; the Mason County Area Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award in 1990; the Distinguished Alumni Award by College of Pharmacy, Ohio State University in 1993; the West Virginia Enterpreneur of The Year Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999; the Distinguished West Virginia Award by Gov. Cecil Underwood in 1999; and had the U.S. Route 35 Highway Named Fruth-Lanham Highway by Gov. Bob Wise.
Fruth enjoyed family and grandchildren and was an avid fisherman. He enjoyed attending the Ohio State football games with his family.

He was a strong supporter of education in Mason County and Rio Grande University.

Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church in Point Pleasant. Burial will follow in Kirkland Memorial Gardens. Visitation will take place at the church from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Friday