Clarence E. Rutherford
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Clarence E. Rutherford, 98, formerly of Bartlesville, Oklahoma died February 8, 2020 at LMH Health in Lawrence, KS. He had lived at Bridge Haven in Lawrence for the last year.
He was born on August 27, 1921 in Augusta, Kansas the son of Charles A. and Edna (Martin) Rutherford.
He was raised and received his education in Augusta, Kansas. He served with honor in WWII in the China, Burma-India Theater with the air transport command.
He graduated from Wichita State University in 1948 and was employed with Phillips Petroleum Company and the U.S. Postal Service.
Clarence married Mary Lee Sackman on September 10, 1955 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. They made their home in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Their daughter, Jane Marie, was born on March 26, 1958.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lee on August 20, 1997 and daughter, Jane Marie Bullick on August 5, 2005 and sister, Maxine M. Duvall on May 15, 2016.
Survivors include his niece, Candace Clark, Lawrence; great nieces and nephews, William W. Clark, Deborah A. Romero, Robert C. Clark, Kristine M. Butler; step-daughter, Suzanne Garrett, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Private family graveside inurnment will be held at the Elmwood Cemetery in Augusta, Kansas.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Lawrence Humane Society and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Candace, my name is Stephen Colaw. I was the Arvest Trust Officer for Clarence for many years before my retirement in March 2017. Additionally, Clarence and Mary Lee were next door neighbors to my wife’s parents Bob and Dorthy Baker many years ago. Both Bob and Dorothy have been gone for several years.
I enjoyed the friendship that Clarence and I shared for many years. He was a very fine gentleman. I was proud to have him as a friend.
Thanks for all you did through the years to care for him. He so much trusted you and counted on you to be there when he needed your counsel or advise.
God Bless you and may your days be most joyful.
Stephen
I met and worked with Clarence at Tiger Transit. It was a joy to know Clarence. He was liked, admired and respected by all who knew him. He was a true gentleman.
David Fox
I just found out too late to actually say goodbye to Jane. I was forever forgetting her address and phone number so that I could keep in touch. I will still miss you and all the times we walked to school together before I had to move to Alabama Although just for a brief time we ran into each other at the end of our freshman year of high school at College High.. May you Rest in Peace my friend.