Thomas Warren Ruggles

Thomas Warren Ruggles, 83, beloved husband and father, and respected attorney of Tampa, Florida passed away peacefully on July 7, 2024. Tom was born in Three Rivers, Michigan on July 26, 1940 to Warren and Vera Ruggles. He earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Michigan. After meeting on a blind date, Tom married Bonnie McManus on June 11, 1966. They lived in Hawaii while he served as a Captain in the US Army Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps.

In 1970 they moved to Tampa, eventually settled in Belleair, and resided there for 38 years raising their two daughters. Tom practiced law with Macfarlane, Ferguson, Allison and Kelly in Clearwater; then with the firm Freeborn, Jennings, MacKenzie and Ruggles in Dunedin, before starting his own private real estate law practice in Belleair. Tom was a member of the Florida Bar for 50 years until his retirement in 2015.

As a young boy he had a paper route and demonstrated his strong work ethic from an early age. In his free time, he enjoyed collecting stamps and amassed a collection of thousands over his lifetime. Sailing, golfing and playing blackjack were among his passions, along with cheering for the Michigan Wolverines. He achieved every golfer’s dream by shooting a “hole in one” on two separate occasions, both at the Belleair Country Club.

Tom was devoted to Bonnie for their nearly 55 years of marriage before her passing in 2021. As grandparents they were known as Bon Bon and Poppy and treasured spending time with their grandchildren.

Tom was steadfastly devoted to family, loyal and faithful to friends, and highly respected by colleagues and clients. He was a man of integrity and deep faith who set an exceptional example through the way he lived and treated others. He selflessly put the needs of others before his own, and he will forever be remembered for his compassion, thoughtfulness, generosity and enormous heart.

Tom is survived by his daughter Kim Shealy of Lexington, SC and husband Brent; his daughter Kelly Miller of Tampa and husband Jim; his sister, Mary Lou Carrier of Saint Petersburg and his beloved grandchildren, Thomas and Elizabeth Shealy and Abigail and Thomas Miller.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research at michaeljfox.org.