Mr. Donald Verle Rutherford Jr. : Obituary

Obituaries

Donald Verle Rutherford Jr.,78, died Friday, May 5th at his home in Blairsville, GA following a terminal illness.

He leaves his beloved wife of 55 years, Anne Bradford Rutherford; his son, Tim Rutherford, his daughters and sons in law: Lori and Clarence Duckworth, Lynn and Warner Copeland, Terri and Perry Nix and Dawn and Richard Warren; his grandchildren: Brandon, Griffin, Austin, Bailey, Schuyler, Carter, Cassidy, Owen, Gracie, Aiden, Lily, Charlotte, Bella, Saylor and great granddaughter, Blakely Born and raised in (Durant) Dover, FL the son of Donald Verle Rutherford, Sr. and Cleo Valdee Rutherford, he was a lifelong resident of the Brandon area.

In his early years, Don helped with the family owned general store. He attended Brandon High School in 1957, where he was elected Drum Major and Band Captain. After graduating high school, he attended University of Tampa, where he studied music education. He then devoted his educational aims towards Industrial Instrumentation and Control Systems Engineering and spent most of his career at General Portland Cement and later Lafarge as a Process and Instrument Engineer in Tampa. Don married his wife, Anne Rutherford, on March 16, 1963 at South Florida Church of Christ. Don is survived by 1 son, 4 daughters, 4 sons in law, 14 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Don loved spending time in the North GA mountains and eventually built a home in Blairsville, GA. He had a wide range of hobbies and interest to include: Playing the organ, big band music, tool and antique collector, gardening, farm animals, flea markets, hayrides and golf cart rides, handyman, woodworking, flywheeler events, vacations at Vogel, symphony, musicals, campfires and spending time with friends and family.

A viewing was held at Blairsville Church of Christ, 62 Church of Christ Drive Blairsville, GA. 30512 @ 1:00 on Thursday May, 11th with the funeral service following at 2:00. A private burial will be held at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Plant City, FL – tba In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The ALS Association, Gift Processing Center – PO Box 37022 Boone, IA 50037-0022 or an Online donation can be made at: http://www.alsa.org/donate/

Don was a wonderful son, husband, father and grandfather and the lasting memories he created with all that loved him will forever be cherished.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences online at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com

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