Jack D. Rutter (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Jack David Rutter, son of Bartholomew “Bat” and Myrtle Victoria Bond Rutter, was born August 22, 1925, in Plains, Kansas. He departed this life Wednesday, February 2, 2011, in St. John’s Hospital in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-five years, five months, and ten days.
On April 11, 1947, he was united in marriage to Mary Frances DeGraffenreid, and to this union two daughters were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Clark Rutter, and his wife, Faye; and a nephew, Leo Rutter.
Jack is survived by his loving wife of sixty-three years, Mary, of the home; two daughters, Susan Phillips, and her husband, Keith, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Amber Gray, of Greeley, Colorado; six grandchildren, Asher, Chris, Deidra, Hannah, Tabitha, and Tarah; eleven great-grandchildren; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in Plains, Kansas and graduated from Plains High School. He entered the United States Army in 1943, and served his country faithfully during World War II. He was stationed in the Pacific and also several places stateside until being honorably discharged in 1946. He then went to an architectural trade school in Kansas City, Missouri, where he and Mary settled shortly after they were married. Jack and Mary moved to Burlington, Colorado, and made their home soon after Jack completed his schooling. He was later attached to the Army Reserve Company I unit of the Colorado National Guard and served as Company Commander. Jack worked at various occupations during the next forty years, including being a cattle and crop farmer, a salesman, a Deputy Sheriff, and a building contractor. In 1992, he and Mary moved to Lebanon, Missouri, to enjoy their retirement years.
Jack accepted Christ as his Savior early in his life and was a charter member of the Burlington Christian Church. He worked in many areas of the church and served as an Elder. Since moving to Lebanon, he had been active in Southern Heights Christian Church as an Elder, teacher, song leader, and in various other capacities.
He was a member of the Harmonaires Gospel Quartet and sang with them for over forty years. This was truly a highlight of his Christian life.
He was a licensed pilot and owned his own plane for several years. He was a master craftsman who enjoyed doing house plans and carpentry and construction work throughout his life. He particularly enjoyed doing small woodworking projects during his retirement years. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jack was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and know that he will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all of his family and many friends.
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