Gene G. Rutledge

Gene Garrett Rutledge, Sr.; age 76, passed away on June 1, 2014 at 9:55 p.m., at his own home in Fredonia, Tennessee. He was born on April 15, 1938 in Carrizozo, New Mexico to the late Andy Dee and Maggie Owen Rutledge. Gene grew up in Hatch, New Mexico, known as the chile capital of the world, and attended Hatch Valley High School where he was an outstanding football player.

Gene enlisted in the United States Army at age 16 with his mother's blessing and signature saying he was 18 and able to serve. He served in the Korean War and also spent time in Germany as part of the Army Corps of Engineers, eventually leaving the military a Sergeant. After serving in the Army, Gene spent approximately three years with the U.S. Postal Service in Houston, Texas. In 1968, Gene was hired by the United States Border Patrol as part of the 92nd Session and went through the Border Patrol Academy in Port Isabel, Texas. Gene was stationed at El Paso Station 1 in El Paso, Texas in the early portion of his career and retired in 1990 in Spokane, Washington as the Sector Chief Patrol Agent. During his career with the Border Patrol, he was detailed to numerous places including Port au Prince, Haiti, Ft. Allen, Puerto Rico, Miami, Florida, Washington D.C. and various other places. Gene's son Gene Garrett Rutledge Jr. continues his Border Patrol legacy as a Border Patrol Agent and is stationed in Lordsburg, New Mexico. Gene was a proud member of the National Rifle Association and was also a member of the Freemasons, Shriners, and the Scottish Rite.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Jerald and Milton Rutledge and one sister Dorothy Berry. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Delfina Rutledge of Clarksville, one son, Gene G. Rutledge, Jr. of Lordsburg, NM; five daughters, Sherry (Terry) Parker of Mustang, OK; Jody (Phillip) Hundley of Cummings, KS; Micki (Anthony) Brake of Palmyra, TN; Toni (Edward) Brink of Waverly, TN; Gracie (Jeremy) Klontz of Spokane, WA; one brother, Andy (Elizabeth) Rutledge of Twin Falls, ID; one sister, Jane Liberty of Rock Hill, SC; 9 Grandchildren and 11 Great Grandchildren.

Memorial services for Gene Rutledge will be held at at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 14, 2014 at the Bethel Baptist Church located at 2301 Highway 13, Cunningham, TN with Pastor Ted Denny officiating. The family has requested that donations be made to the Shriner's Children's Hospital.

Arrangements entrusted to: Gateway Funeral Home & Cremation Center; 335 Franklin Street; Clarksville, TN 37055. Phone (931) 919 2600. Online condolences may be left at www.gatewayfh.com.