Obituary Record

John D. "Big John" Rutherford, 85, of Bay St. Louis, MS died Thursday, August 4, 2005 in Bay St. Louis, MS.

Big John was the fifth of 10 children born to John and Henrietta (Favre) Rutherford. He excelled in sports in the Bay St. Louis school system and played football and baseball at Perkinston Junior College. Following his service with the U.S. Coast Guard in the early 40's, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service and Internal Revenue Service before retiring as a postal employee. He was elected Hancock County Chancery Clerk. He is well known for his countless hours of volunteer service to his community, most notably 62 years of active membership in the American Legion. He has held several state and district offices, as well as all offices at Bay St. Louis Post 139. He received the organization's Distinguished Service Award in 1975. His volunteer efforts with the American Red Cross spanned 56 years. In 1951 he co-founded a local blood bank in conjunction with the American Legion and Oschner Foundation Hospital. For his annual coordination of blood drives he was awarded the American Red Cross Distinguished Service Award in 1976. He has also been an active supporter of the Boy Scout organization, earning Scouting's highest award, the "Silver Beaver," in 1975. He was appointed to the Hancock General Hospital Board of Trustees in 1963 and served as treasurer until 1972. Following his tenure as circuit clerk, he was reappointed to the Hancock Medical Center board in 1988. He was an active supporter of the Hancock Medical Center Foundation, a 501(c) (3) organization which supports the hospital.

Other community involvement includes: volunteer chef for countless community functions, former March of Dimes chairman, ,member of Masonic Lodge/32nd and honorary 33rd degree Mason, 40 & 8 American Legion honor group, longtime member of St. Stanislaus Sidelines Club, former "King Neptune" (Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo), Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year (1980), " King Triton VII" of the Triton carnival association, Voice of Hope Award (1998), Blue Cross/Blue Shield Angels and Heroes Award, Member Hope Chapter 402 O.E.S. He was a member of Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary Walle Rutherford, son Jimmy Rutherford, parents John David and Henrietta Favre Rutherford, Sr., 6 brothers, Selwyn, Pat, James, Lin, Edgar, Edward. 3 sisters; Glenda, Henrietta Rutherford, Katie Osbourn, and son-in-law Anthony Moran.

He is survived by his 2 sons, Dr. J.D. Rutherford, III and his wife Geraldine of Bay St. Louis, MS, Jeffery Rutherford and wife Cindy of Waveland, MS, 2 daughter, Jeanie R. Moran of Bay St. Louis, MS, Jan Rutherford of Bay St. Louis, MS, daughter-in-law Peggy Rutherford of Bay St. Louis, MS; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The visitation will be on Sunday. August 7, 2005 from 6:00 P.M. until 11:00 P.M. with recitation of the Rosary at 7:45 P.M. at Edmond Fahey Funeral Home in Bay St. Louis, MS. Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until time of service at 1 P.M. on Monday, August 8. 2005 at the at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Bayou LaCroix Cemetery in Bay St. Louis, MS.

In Lieu of flowers the family request donations to Hancock Medical Center or Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church.

View and sign register book at www.sunherald.com. Edmond Fahey Funeral Home in Bay St. Louis, MS is in charge of the arrangements.

Source: Sea Coast Echo 8/7/2005