Memorials › Thomas Edgar Rutledge Jr

Thomas Edgar Rutledge Jr

21 May 1920 – 23 Sep 2015

Birth21 May 1920
Death23 Sep 2015
Added byDodson Cemetery Association on 16 May 2018
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/189782782

Bio

Thomas Edgar Rutledge Jr. 05/21/1920 - 09/23/2015 Rev. Thomas Edgar Rutledge Jr., 95, a 20-year resident of Arbor Acres Retirement Community in Winston-Salem, died peacefully on September 23, 2015 at his home in Arbor Acres. The strong and loving community he created throughout his 95 years deeply mourns, but also celebrates a life well lived. Tom Rutledge was born in Childress County, Texas in 1920. He wasn't the oldest son of Thomas Edgar Rutledge, Sr and Verdie Mae Holt Rutledge, but he was the first to have his father's blue eyes, so he became the Jr.He drove a Model-A Ford as a young boy, marveled at the inventions of radio and flight, and in his 90's was totally adept with Googling on his computer and sending email messages! His long and productive life included marrying the love of his life, Mary Luke, at Duke Chapel in 1945. Both he and Mary attended Duke University Divinity School, met and fell in love there, and were loyal Blue Devil fans throughout their entire lives! Tom completed his Divinity degree at Duke and a degree in Social Work at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Tom was adventurous, inventive, deeply religious, and full of fun. He traveled with his young family from Texas to West Virginia to Tennessee and then to Alaska from 1957 to 1962. In Seward, Alaska, he was the superintendent of Jesse Lee Home, a United Methodist Children's Home. Always a family man, during his three years at Jesse Lee his "family" grew considerably! When his appointment at Jesse Lee ended, Tom elected to stay in Alaska and homestead. He and his children built the sprawling house, raised the garden, and lived off the land as true homesteaders, while chasing away bears and moose. Before and after the Alaska years, Tom served in the United Methodist Church as a minister for many years until his early retirement in North Carolina in 1968. Even after health issues meant he could no longer be an active minister, he continued his ministry and social work in a myriad of ways. He wrote impassioned letters to the editor about causes he deemed important, organized transportation for voters and led "get out and vote" campaigns, maintained continuous correspondence with spiritual leaders and writers. One of his favorite writers was Leo Buscaglia, and the two of them exchanged letters about their favorite subject: love. In his 80s he began an online ministry. Each day he sent out a Daily Devotional to a dozen or so people at first, then more and more as people requested to receive his writings. For over 15 years he inspired, comforted and gave joy to the community of people on his email list, which now numbers in the hundreds. In 1995, Tom and Mary moved to Arbor Acres in Winston-Salem, where Tom continued to keep all the residents and staff laughing and engaging in sprightly conversations. The loving care he received at Arbor Acres all those years, and especially in the past few months, was superb. His family is deeply grateful to the nurses and staff who loved and nurtured him, laughed at his jokes and even became Duke fans because of his influence. Thank you, Arbor Acres, from the bottom of our hearts. Tom and Mary raised five children, who all celebrate him today, along with their respective spouses: Juliamae Rutledge Harris of Carrboro NC, Susan Rutledge Giles and John Giles of Winston-Salem NC, Thomas Edgar Rutledge, III and Louella Whicker Rutledge of Hillsborough NC, Alan Monroe Rutledge and Sheila Ringler Rutledge of Raleigh NC, and William Robert Rutledge of Heredia, Costa Rica. In addition to Tom's five children, he is survived by thirteen of his fourteen grandchildren and all of his nine great-grandchildren. Tom's legacy of love and giving to the community is continued with a family which includes a large number of teachers, ministers, musicians and writers. Family, friends and his large community will honor Tom Rutledge at a memorial service on Monday, September 28th at 11 am. The service will be held in the assembly hall in the Berrier Building at Arbor Acres. Please come and celebrate a life of integrity, love and service.

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