of Batesville, AR
November 15, 1921 - March 2, 2014
James Luin Rutherford Jr, 92, of Batesville died Sunday. He was a lifelong Batesville resident, retired banker, landowner, and a member of a pioneer Independence County family. As a young boy he was given the nickname "GG" by his cousin.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen Roberson Rutherford; his parents, Elizabeth Jenkins Rutherford and James Luin Rutherford Sr. and his brother, Robert Spencer Rutherford and his wife, Ina Belle Nicholas Rutherford.
He is survived by his son, James L. "Skip" Rutherford III and his wife Billie of Little Rock and his grandchildren, Blake Spencer Rutherford and his wife Jessica Dean of Philadelphia; Martha Luin Rutherford and Brian Locke, of Asheville, NC. and Mary Kathleen Rutherford Jennings and her husband, Clark, of Washington D.C, his niece Robin Rutherford Roach and her husband, Jeff, of Memphis and his nephew, Robert Nicholas Rutherford and his wife, Tracy of Cooper City, Fla.
A 1942 graduate of Arkansas College (now Lyon College) where he lettered in baseball and basketball, he was elected to the Arkansas College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991. He was also named King White River in 1992 at Batesville's annual White River Water Carnival.
He began his banking career with First National Bank of Batesville in 1957, attended the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at SMU and retired as executive vice president in 1987. He was a veteran of World War II where he served in the Pacific as a commissioned officer in the United States Coast Guard.
He co-owned, with members of his extended family, and managed two farms in Independence and Jackson Counties. Their ownership spans four generations.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Batesville serving both as a deacon and a trustee.
Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday March 8 at the First Presbyterian Church in Batesville. Burial will be private. Arrangements are by Roller-Crouch Funeral Home of Batesville.
Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 775 E. Boswell Street, Batesville, Arkansas 72501 or to the Old Independence Regional Museum, 380 South 9th Street, Batesville, Arkansas 72501.
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29 Condolence(s)
Jackie Hall
Monday, August 4, 2014
Skip your dad was such a kind giving man. I did not know he had passed til recently. My prayers go out to you and your family. I still think about you and the goldfish
Bekah Hyslip
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
He was a wonderful neighbor.
Alma Ward
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Dear Rutherford Family,
i was so sorry to hear about GG
He was always so friendly and a great man he will be remembered well in Batesville, He
loved this town and the people in it.
With Kind Regret's,
Alma Ward
Alva Van Winkle
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Skip, I've never met you personally but though your dad and grandmother I feel like I have always known you. I took care of your grand mothers yard until she went to rolling hills. They both treated me like family.I will truly miss them both.
Clif and Eva Chitwood
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Skipper - I was very sorry to hear about your Dad. It had been many years since I had seen him but he was always kind and always thoughtful. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
R. E. ( Skip ) Warner
Friday, March 7, 2014
RIP GG !
Brenda Bearden Clayton
Friday, March 7, 2014
Skip
So sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. I worked with GG at First National Bank many years ago. I still have such fond memories. GG was always such a fun-loving gentleman who thought you hung the moon. He was so proud of you. He was always happy to give an update about you and the new things going on with you and your family. I specifically remember him talking about you working with the Clinton administration. Again, he was so proud of his son and the man you had become. Of course, I remember you most as a high school student running around with my brother, Rick. Time does march on. I will be keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Richard & Marilyn Diemer Earnheart
Friday, March 7, 2014
Skip & family,
Mr. G.G. was such a gentleman in everyway...polite, kind, considerant, compassionate...I could go on. I know he will be missed by so many. It has been my pleasure to help with his medical care for the last several years. We looked forward to him coming to the office each month. He always had a story to tell and wanted to know how each of us were doing. Also, he was so very proud of you & your family....especially keeping us up to date on Blake & Jessica and their dog.
Please know our thoughts & prayers are with each of you during this sad time.
Richard & Marilyn
Jessica Shetron
Friday, March 7, 2014
Skipper and Family, I have known your family forever and your Mother and your Dad were two of my favorite people. Your Dad was a true Southern gentleman, and your Mom a great nurse,and both wonderful people. GG was an asset to Batesville in every way, he will be missed by everyone who knew him. Skipper, you have a lifetime of great memories, be sure to share them with your family and friends. Jessica
Janet Hamm Williams
Thursday, March 6, 2014
What a wonderful legacy! Our deepest sympathy to your family...
Leann Johnson Siler
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Skip & Family,
GG was one of a kind and certainly a character! I have great memories of GG while I worked for him at FNB beginning in 1982.
He was so proud of you and his grandchildren and spoke of you often. My sincere sympathy to you and your family.
Leann (Johnson) Siler
carol heigle lampton
Thursday, March 6, 2014
your father helped my dad for years at the bank I was a little girl they were real good friends my dad use to bring him all kinds of stuff out of our garden and when Dad would butcher a beef he would bring him some.after I became of age dad took me to the bank and introduce me to your dad after that he was my loan officer he helped me a lot over the years.He was a wonderful person.He changed a lot of peoples lives.My husband and I were was just talking about him 2days ago.My prayers are with you and all of the family...
carol heigle lampton
Thursday, March 6, 2014
your father helped my dad for years at the bank I was a little girl they were real good friends my dad use to bring him all kinds of stuff out of our garden and when Dad would butcher a beef he would bring him some.after I became of age dad took me to the bank and introduce me to your dad after that he was my loan officer he helped me a lot over the years.He was a wonderful person.He changed a lot of peoples lives.My husband and I were was just talking about him 2days ago.My prayers are with you and all of the family...
Pam (Brown) Pattillo
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Skip, I want you to know that our prayers are with you and your family at this time. It was Mr. "GG" that supplied the bank funds for my mom to help further my education here in Little Rock. It was you that continued to show that sweet spirit as we worked across the hall from each other your for David Pryor and me for USDA. Mom is no longer here but I know I speak for her. God Bless.
James Mack Street
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Skip and family,
I know your hearts are heavy witg your fathers passing. My sumpathy to you alk. Your dad was a great man.
Nick & Katrina Fudge
Thursday, March 6, 2014
I've known G.G. Rutherford all my life. He and my Dad, Dewey Rowe were great friends. He lived a long and fulfilling life. Our thoughts & prayers are with the family.
DONALD MCDONALD
Thursday, March 6, 2014
May your great memories be of comfort during a very difficult time.
Resa Bolin - Farm Service Agency
Thursday, March 6, 2014
It was an honor to know Mr. G. G. He always talked highly of his family. I enjoyed his visits no matter where they were. He always put forth effort to acknowledge and speak to anyone. He had a very unique sense of humor that was you must know him to enjoy the true G.G. May your memories become a treasure and give you comfort. My thoughts and prayers are with this family during this time of sorrow.
Bud Sarah & Mark Shreve
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Skip and Family
We are very sorry for your loss, as you know G.G. always had a special place in our family and will be Missed. You and your family is in our thoughts and prayers
Bud Sarah and Mark
Wenona (Kirk) Edley
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Skip, it is with deepest sympathy that I write this note. Your Dad will be missed by so many people, but especially by you. He was a very special man. I was his secretary for five years at First National Bank ('77-'82) and will always remember him as a wonderful person deserving of much respect. I am thankful I had the opportunity to know him and work with him. May God bless you. Sincerely, Wenona
larry Graham
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Skipper, my deepest sympathy to you and your family over the loss of your Dad. Quite a career he had in farming business and as a leader in the Batesville community.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and
Billie.
Larry
Elizabeth Gardner
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Randall and Debbie Gardner and I want to offer our deepest sympathy. We farmed the Rutherford farm below Magness for several years along with my husband who died in 1998. He was a wonderful landlord! We could be driving tractors or combines and see him coming down the road making his circle from there to Jackson County. Randall and Debbie are in Oklahoma working and I am unable to be at the memorial, but please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers!
Idonia Trotter
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
My condolences to Dean Rutherford and the entire family. May God strengthen you during this time.
Patti Heath
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Skip and family I am sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Mom and I send you our prayers and condolences during this time.
Don Heuer
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
I was privileged to work with G.G. for several years at the then First National Bank. He was always one of my special people and friend.
He was always a gentleman. .
Penelope Sur
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
My most sincere condolences.
Penelope Sur
Jan Wicks
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Please know that you are all in the thoughts and prayers of many who appreciate the wonderful things you and your family have done for the state of Arkansas. May God bless you and comfort you at this time.
Theodora hightower
Monday, March 3, 2014
kip I loved reading the Obit and a great picture of G.
Theodora
Bobby anf Tracy Rutherford
Monday, March 3, 2014
We will greatly miss Uncle GG. Thoughts and prayer to Skip and family.