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John Milton Rutherford, Jr., 77, Durant, passed away Friday, November 23, 2007 at the Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma.
Services are 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, at Coffey- Murray Chapel with Bro. Anthony Williams officiating.
Surrounded by his loving family, John Rutherford passed away after brief illness. He was born Sunday, February 23, 1930, in Rego, Indiana, to Merle and Eska Salee Rutherford.
He graduated from Paoli High School in 1947.
He was married to Marjorie Rich Henson February 23, 1968, in Durant.
Rutherford was a very loving, caring gentleman who loved his family dearly.
He loved spending time with his family, counseling former aviation students, flying, teaching aviation and about life in general, helping others in any way that he could and was always encouraging others to always do their best in everything they did to succeed.
Rutherford was the youngest of seven children. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
After graduation he went to work as a tour guide at the capitol building in Washington, DC. He also worked in the US House of Representatives, at the post office, and for the National Security Agency in Arlington, Va. Rutherford enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 and attended basic training at Sampson AFB, Geneva, N. Y.
After Basic he was stationed at various places throughout military career, including Moody AFB, Valdosta, Ga. and Warner Robbins AFB, Macon, Georgia as a recruiter. He was selected for Officer Candidate School which was completed at Lockland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. He graduated in the bottom 3rd of his class.
He was selected for fighter pilot training after his 4 year enlistment rank as commissioned 2nd LT. pilot training at Barton AFB, Winter Haven, Fla. He completed his training in Piper Super Cub and T- 6 Texan. He ranked middle 3rd of the 2nd pilot training class at Laredo, AFB, in Texas.
He attended Jet Qualification in T- 33 Shooting Star. Graduation flight was from Laredo Low Level through Grand Canyon to Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada and back to Laredo. He completed in the top 3rd of the class.
He attended Combat Qualification at Moody AFB, Valdosta, Ga. and trained in a F- 89 Scorpion, twin engine all-weather interceptor with afterburner. He finished in the top 3rd of class and was promoted to 1st Lt.
His next assignment was in Minneapolis/ St. Paul, Minn. Then he went on to the air defense command 59th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City, S. D. He was a training officer on front line F89J Scorpion.
He was a part of the Cold War with Russia and was promoted to Captain at Sampson, AFB, N. Y. His next assignment was at HQ NATO command 57th F15 Black Knights Squadron Keflick, Iceland and F89 Scorpion 1 year. He completed some college credit taught by Maryland University Bethesda, M. D. He was selected to operations officer. His next assignment was MATS Castle AFB, Sacramento, Calif., C135 Transport and then a temporary assignment at McGuire AFB, N. J. He finished his military career after four years enlistment and with 7 years commissioned.
After his military career he moved to Gene Autry, and taught pilot training at American Flyers for 9 years. He later moved to Durant and took the position at SOSU Aerospace Department at Eaker Field. He attained position of Chief Ground Instructor and taught aviation at SOSU 21 years, retiring in 1992.
He was also a FAA written test examiner.
During his college career he illustrated devotion to high academic standards and professional principles. John made significant contributions to profession not only in classroom but also in tireless advisement and counseling of students; professional approach to completion of task regardless of time involved; giving of himself to reach the goal; tireless devotion to student body. Title of Honorary Chief Ground Instructor Emeritus of Aerospace bestowed upon him by Board of Regents of OK Colleges. He was commended for serving faithfully and honorably. He accepted Jesus Christ as his savior.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brothers, Paul and Carl Rutherford; sisters, Ruby Schlawski and Dorothy Degraw; daughters, Cynthia Shaw and Beverly Thurston and granddaughter, Valerie Epps.
Survivors include sons, Johnny Rutherford and wife Sandy, Durant, Stephen Henson and wife Eydie, Dickson, Timothy Henson, Whitewater, Wis., Kenneth Henson, Bonham, Texas, John M. Rutherford III, Pottstown, Pa.; daughters, Gloria Henson, Spindale, N. C.; sisters, Pauline Banks, Alexandria, Va., and Carolyn Darby, El Cajon, Calif., 17 grandchildren and ten great- grandchildren.
Services are under the direction of Coffey- Murray Funeral Home.
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