Obituary of James Rutland

COLUMBIA: Funeral services for James Marshall Rutland, 90, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 3, 2013, at Eau Claire Baptist Church, officiated by Reverend James Goudelock. Interment will follow in Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 10 until 11 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Eau Claire Baptist Church, 4427 Main St., Columbia, SC 29203. Mr. Rutland passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 30, 2013, in Columbia. Born in Lexington, KY, he was a son of the late Marion Rutland and Lydia Games Rutland. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII in Europe and North Africa where he received two Bronze Stars and was honorably discharged from the Army Signal Corps with the rank of Sergeant. He lived in the Eau Claire community at the same address his entire married life. James was a lifelong member of Eau Claire Baptist Church. He achieved Worshipful Master at his Masonic Lodge; he was a Knight Templar in York Rite and 32 degree Scottish Rite. James was also a Shriner at Jamil Temple. Mr. Rutland was retired from Southern Bell where he worked as an equipment installer. He always encouraged his children to do their best at all times and they all graduated from the University of South Carolina and had successful careers. He was a devoted husband and tough love father. Mr. Rutland was very generous to others both financially and with his time. In his retirement, he loved to garden side by side with his wife, Jessie. Those that got to know him, loved him dearly. He also enjoyed woodwork making furniture and toys for his six grandchildren. He always came through for his family in hard times. Survivors include: his daughters, Phyllis Chandler (Marty) of Hartsville and Rachel Hodge (Neil) of Elgin; son, James "Jim" Rutland, Jr. (Vicki) of Aiken; sister, Evelyn Reusch; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Mr. Rutland was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 61 years, Jessie June Taylor Rutland; sisters, Marian Vallery and Sidney Sloan; and brothers, Edward and Fred Rutland.