December 20, 1978 �" January 17, 2015
Darnell Ruffin collapsed suddenly at home from an apparent heart attack. He was in good health, so this is a shock to everyone. He just had his 36th birthday in December.
He loved playing tennis and planned to compete professionally this year.
Darnell worked at several nonprofits as a case manager, helping disadvantaged people with daily life and finding work. In 2013 he started his own nonprofit called Upwardly Mobile Academics, an after-school computer program.
He also was pursuing his master's degree in social work.
Darnell was born in San Mateo and proud to be a Bay Area native. He loved traveling, and enjoyed hanging out at his cabin at the Russian River, plus visiting friends in Palm Springs and Fort Lauderdale. He loved his big dogs (malamute and German shepherd) and took them everywhere.
He loved Chinese takeout, candy, and cooking crab gumbo and greens at home.
Darnell lived with his partner and best friend, Bill Hurlburt, for five years, who will miss him greatly. No services are planned.