Bradley Vaughn Ruthven

Bradley Vaughn Ruthven, age 52, passed away on Monday, June 15,2020. Brad was born in Rockdale, Texas to Jack and Trink Ruthven on October 24, 1967. In 1986 Brad graduated from Lexington High School where everyone knew Bradley as a rock star.

Brad began playing music as a small child at the age of 4. Brad the Blue Branch Strummer, on a ukulele, and his brother Scott would play together for their friends in school assemblies or just in the hallways. When Brad was 9, his mom and dad gave him his first love, a Fender Stratocaster guitar and amp for Christmas. Brad, Scott, and his parents, as Southern Wave, were soon playing every wedding and special occasion in Lexington and every surrounding town and county.

Brad was a musical genius with such a raw, powerful talent for any musical instrument, especially the guitar. He had so many successes following his passion and dreams playing music. For over 4 decades, Brad shared the stage with so many, many great musicians. He played with bands from Texas to Tennessee and across the world. Most noted by his many fans were with bands that included award winning Trick Pony out of Nashville, Tennessee, The Texas Unlimited Band, and the Rhythm of the Road. He had a successful career with so many accolades and achievements-far too many to name them all. Playing music across the globe, Brad never met a stranger. If you crossed paths with Brad, then made you a friend for life. In 2014, Brad met the love of his life Michelle, they were married on January 18, 2015. Together they made so many great memories following Brad’s passion for music and loving each other.

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Vaughn and Juanita Manning, paternal grandparents Melvin and Maxine Ruthven, uncles Jim Manning, Paul Stephenson, Bobby, and Stanley Ruthven, and cousin Lanna Jo Ruthven.

Brad is survived by his loving wife Michelle, his daughter Isaura, stepsons Gunnar and Gage, parents Jack and Trink, brother and sister-in-law Scott and Dena and his three grandchildren, Laramie, Spencer, and Jamie. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Brad would be very pleased by your presence today and you know he would greet us all with a “Hey Ya’ll!” He would then thank you for all your friendship and love across the years.

A Visitation will be held 2:00 P.M. Sunday, June 21, 2020 Knobbs Springs Baptist Church, followed by a Celebration of Brad's Life at 3:00 P.M.

Arrangements entrusted to Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home.