R.T. Fort, Sr. made his grand entrance into the world on June 22, 1919, in Hooks, Texas, Bowie County. He was the third child of ten born to the late Mathis S. Fort and Minnie Ola Lockhart Fort. He had six brothers and four sisters. His siblings R.E. Fort, Sr., Seaony Lomax, H.M. Fort, Sr., Grace Goulsby, Mathis Fort, Jr., Lloyd Fort, Ostine Hearon, and Lee Ester Greenwood preceded him in death. He has two remaining brothers, Everett and Willie Fort. His wife, Ann Fort of sixty-six years, also preceded him in death.

He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior at an early age. That decision changed the course of his life. He graduated from Hooks High School in 1939. Prior to enlisting into the United States Army, he worked on his parents' 120-acre farm where they cultivated crops and owned livestock. Those experiences instilled the tenacious work ethic and appreciation for farming.

He served in the United States Army from October 1941 to January 1946. He was considered a "sharpshooter." He had great accuracy which came from his ability to hunt at an early age. He served in the Asiatic Pacific for twenty-three months as a rifleman, active as a scout for one hundred men, patrolled enemy territory reporting findings to the commanding officer. He also served as assistant squad leader. He worked as a barber during military service and a licensed barber in Venice and Santa Monica, California for many years after his honorable discharge.

In 1946, he moved to California and on July 28, 1946, he married the love of his life, Anna Jane Benson. They were a team. To this union three children were born, Rue T. Fort, Jr., Timothy E. Fort and Jamila (Patricia) A. Fort. He was a member of St. John's Lodge where he held a 33 ^rd Masonic Degree. R.T. was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Venice for more than sixty years. While a faithful member there, her served as head Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, choir member, and on the finance board. After the passing of his wife, and upon relocating to Hooks, Texas, he became a member of Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church. He loved the word of God. It governed his life. He often referred to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

R.T. was an amazing man and as unique as his name. He named himself Rue Tillious. He knew no one else had that name. He was not short on healthy self-esteem. He was confident and determined. Those "Fort Boys" were known for their good looks and sharp dressing. He was the only one with the hazel eyes. He was an extraordinary son, brother, husband, uncle, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and man. A true servant of God and an example to many. The Fort family is notorious for giving people nicknames. His mother affectionately called him "Best Stuff". Some of his other nicknames were "Teeda", "T", "Uncle T", "Uncle Spank Em", "Big Daddy" and "Scooter Do-Da". He loved going fast on his motorized scooter!! He loved people, his extended family, neighbors, and friends. He wanted them to feel welcomed in his home. He enjoyed having new cars. Driving them off the showroom floor seemed to thrill him. He was known for having two wallets. His daughter would often tease him about "flattening" one of those wallets. He had strong feelings about being debt free. He worked hard to provide for his family and did not believe in waste. He was generous with family members if there was a great need.

R.T. was a forklift operator for the Los Angeles Lumber Yard for many years. For the next twenty-six years, he worked in a variety of positions for the city of Los Angeles such as maintenance laborer, truck operator, heavy equipment operator, and lot cleaning crew. He received recognition from the Mayor of Los Angeles for his years of service.

He was an outdoorsman. He had the strongest, biggest hands. You rarely saw him without a fitted style baseball cap. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, picnics, farming, gardening, and especially Fort Family Reunions. He also delighted in sports, singing and listening to gospel music, playing dominoes, doing puzzles, and watching television. At one point, there was a television in almost every room. He was an excellent storyteller of sharing his life's experiences. A fond childhood memory is when he would put you on his knee and give you the "bucking horse" ride experience. Although he worked two jobs, he took time to play with us. Some of his sayings were "I'm good", "I'm tough", "they gon have you in the alley", "pay the whole thing, I don't want no dungs" meaning late fees.

He had a brilliant mind. He knew so much about so many subjects. Even with diminished vision, his detailed memory and voice recognition was amazing throughout his life. He was able to drive until age ninety-two. He loved being neat and independent. He was so proud to be able to fix his own breakfast at age one hundred. He felt he was supposed to have sweets with every meal. He loved, loved, loved good food! He always looked forward to celebrations and holidays. Yes, he was spoiled!

For his one hundredth birthday, he was gifted with "Google" by the fifty-threes. He really enjoyed using it. On May 28, 2021, R.T. fell and fractured his right femur. As a result of the fall, his health declined. He transitioned from this life and obtained his eternal crown on August 24, 2021. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. God richly blessed us with him. He had a long, abundant, enriched life.

He leaves to cherish his memory: two sons, Rue T. Fort, Jr. (Diane) and Timothy E. Fort; one daughter, Jamila (Patricia) A. Fort; five grandchildren, Rusean Fort, Sr., Jameel Fort, Sr. (Naijah), Cheron Fort (Carlos Sr.), Ryan Fort (Nikki) and Devin Fort; eleven great-grandchildren, Aaron Fort, Rusean Fort, II, Jade Fort, Nia Fort, Jameel Fort, Jr., Jaylen Stewart, Amari Stewart, Adyn McCall, Carlos Johnson, Jr., Alaya Johnson and Kailen Fort; two brothers, Everett Fort and Willie Fort; one sister-in-law, Earlene Benson; Viola Fort, Shirley H.Fort, Grady Nelson, Nyoko Thompson, Darialle McEwen, Tiffany Bell, and a host of "favorite" nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends too numerous to list.