John H. Rusk, Jr., OD, 80, Dickinson died peacefully at his home on Sunday, May 8, 2016. John’s Memorial Service will be at 7 p.m., Friday, May 13, 2016 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with Rev. Janel Kolar officiating. Inurnment will take place at the Carrington Cemetery, Carrington. Visitation will be on Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., with the family present from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to visit and greet friends.

John H. Rusk Jr. was born November 21, 1935 in Carrington, the only son of John H. and Mabel (Tenborg) Rusk. John had served honorably in the U.S. Army and the North Dakota National Guard. He graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor’s in Geology and from Pacific University as a Doctor of Optometry. He began practicing in Dickinson in 1971, and retired in 2000.

A sports fan and athlete in his younger years, John lettered in baseball at UND, and continued to follow Fighting Sioux sports (especially enjoying Men’s Hockey National Championship #8 in April!). He was a Blue Hawk supporter as well, and stubbornly followed the Twins and Vikings.

John married Joyce Elaine Montgomery on November 28, 1957 in Washington, Iowa. They moved to Dickinson in 1971. John and Joyce belonged to the Elks Lodge in Dickinson, and John was a Mason. He enjoyed golf, fishing and hunting, and prided himself on having one of the nicest lawns in the neighborhood.

John is survived by his two sons, Kevan (Robyn) Rusk, East Grand Forks, Minn., and Kelley (Candy) Rusk, Frazee, Minn.; three grandchildren, Ryan, Matthew and Lauren. He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce on March 13, 2009, and his parents.