Ruffin Blake McDaniel died at the age of 57 on November 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, KS, 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 (and 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 held at 2 p.m. on November 20 at Willows Bend (Carbondale, https://www.willowsbendwedding.com/ ). Guests are asked to wear Kansas Jayhawk attire or red and blue – Ruffin's request. Burial will follow in the Lyndon Cemetery. Ruffin will lie in state from 4 to 6 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on November 19 at the Feltner Funeral Home in Lyndon. 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. Online condolences for the family may 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.