Obituary

Kay Acuff, age 81 of Goodyear, AZ died October 22, 2019 in Goodyear, AZ. She was born November 14, 1937 in LaGrande, OR, the only child born to Tom and Garnet Ruckman. Kay grew up on a farm in the small town of Imbler, OR. Community service came naturally to her, inspired by the examples of her father who served as the mayor of Imbler and sat on the board of the local hospital, and her mother who was a state representative and also sat on several boards. She graduated from Imbler High School in 1955 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Oregon in 1959. She completed graduate courses at the University of Oregon as well as at Portland State University.

Kay began her life of service to the community teaching business education, typing, and bookkeeping to high school students. She taught in schools in Reedsport, OR, LaGrande, OR, Portland, OR and later in Scottsdale, AZ. In addition to teaching, Kay was the advisor to the dance team, drama, rally squad, and yearbook.

While living in Portland, OR, Kay met and married Richard Acuff in March 1966. She was a loyal and dedicated wife who sacrificed her own career advancement to follow her husband all over the country as he climbed the corporate ladder. Her children were always her first priority. She served as a PTA President for the Cherry Park Grade School in Portland, OR and slowly eased back into teaching as her children grew. In due course Kay turned her talents to the corporate community. She was a member of the State Board of Realtors of Oregon from 1975 – 1979. She worked as the Assistant to Real Estate Development and Executive Assistant to the Director of Human Resources at Carl Karcher Enterprises. She was the Assistant to the President at Macon Development in Naperville, IL. She was the Education Development Assistant to Weichert Real Estate in West Chester, PA, and the Administrative Assistant to the Manager of Prudential Preferred Real Estate in Exton, PA.

When Richard retired the couple moved to the PebbleCreek community. Kay’s desire to serve her community was as strong as ever and she began the Architectural and Landscape Office. She worked as the Architectural Committee Administrative Assistant for the PebbleCreek Homeowner’s Association from September 1998 to June, 2018 when she said a tearful goodbye.

Kay was a life member of the Order of Eastern Star and served as a Mother Advisor to the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, Blue Mountain Chapter, Elgin, OR. She had a love of music and was a member of a traveling University of Oregon choral group. As a cancer survivor she appreciated every day. She enjoyed sewing, latch hooking, and arts and crafts. Her ultimate happiness came from her children and grandchildren. She leaves behind a house covered with photos of her children and grandchildren, memories of the joy that they brought into her life.

Kay is survived by her son, Matthew Acuff, daughter, Libby Achenbach, and grandchildren Jake and Ashton Achenbach. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, AZ 85338. Inurnment will be at 10:00 am, Friday, November 29, 2019 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that you contribute in Kay’s honor to the charity of your choice.