John Ruhlman, Jr. (July 9, 1966 - January 12, 2022)

John Ruhlman, Jr., 55, died on January 12, 2022, in Oceanside, CA. He was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. John was born in Hillsboro, OR, to Pastor John and Nancy Ruhlman, but grew up in Everson, WA, attending Nooksack Valley Schools from kindergarten to 12th grade. During this time, he attended Camp Gilead many summers as a camper. He went on and graduated with a degree in History Education from Christian Heritage College in El Cajon, CA. He was the father of Rachel Ruhlman, and Jono Ruhlman. He was the principal owner of Mission Deck and Patio since 2019. John also received his Master of Divinity at Southern California Seminary in El Cajon, CA. He taught history at Christian High School in El Cajon and then became the youth pastor at Shadow Mountain Community Church. The family moved to Murietta, CA in 2001 and John founded and pastored Life Church of Temecula & pastored Sandals Church in Murietta. While at Life Church, John led a dunes ride at Pismo Beach, CA in which he broke his neck and almost completely severed his spinal cord. He became a “walking miracle” but struggled the rest of his life with physical & pain issues. John is predeceased by his father, John Sr. Besides Rachel and Jono, he leaves his mother, Nancy Ruhlman of Mount Vernon, WA; his sister and family, Eric and Sheryl Rasmussen, Ellie Rasmussen, Austin and Emma Hays and Annie Rasmussen of Shoreline, WA; his brother and family, Bob and Lee Anne Ruhlman, Kate, Sophie and Audrey Ruhlman of Shoreline, WA. John also leaves his uncle, Pastor Tom and Becky Ruhlman of Shoreline and 2 aunts: Ruthanne Beddoe of Boise, ID and Kaylene and Joel Jeffers of Ontario, CA and numerous cousins, including Kimberly Mallory, Gilead Program Director. One of John’s favorite places was Camp Gilead. The family spent much time at camp, and enjoyed many Thanksgiving dinners in the camp lodge. John’s grandparents, Bob & Ruth Mehner, worked and volunteered for many years at Gilead, in their retirement. John was the High School camp speaker at Gilead in 1999, and had a heart for camp ministry, and especially, Camp Gilead.