Photo Gallery | A personal tribute to Congressman Earl Ruth

SALISBURY - Former Congressman Earl Ruth (R-8th) will be honored on Thursday, April 26, when a section of Highway 601 in Rowan County will be named in his honor.

As a tribute to her father, Ruth's daughter, Jackie Ruth Burleson, provided WBTV with a few classic pictures and some notes about the colorful life of Earl Ruth:

We are so pleased that  the Dept. of Transportation is naming a section of Highway 601, north of Salisbury the "Congressman Earl Ruth Highway." 

There will be a dedication ceremony  at the Crystal Lounge  in the Robertson College-Community Center on Thursday, April 26.

The actual dedication will begin at 11 AM , but a time of coffee and fellowship will be from 10 -11 AM. 

Earl Ruth was my father.  He had a long and varied career - here are some  highlights:    Graduated from Central High School in Charlotte- championship basketball team. Worked his way through Carolina, graduating in 1938  (UNC Chapel HIll) While there was captain of the Carolina Basketball team his Jr. and Sr. Years Taught and coached at Chapel Hill High School in the late 1930s 1946 -1968  Basketball Coach at Catawba College  Athletic Director and Dean of Students Salisbury City Council member and  Mayor pro tempre Member and Elder at First Presbyterian Church, Salisbury Elected to Congress from 8th Congressional District (Included Rowan Co). 1968 - 1975 Appointed By President Gerald Ford to serve as Governor of American Samoa in 1975 Worked for the Dept. of Interior following that appointment for a short while Died in 1989   We find it pretty exciting that it is being done 23 years after Earl's death.   We are expecting Gov. James Holshouser and Senator James Broyhill to speak briefly at the dedication, and feel so honored to have them come.