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Zachary Rutledge Obituary
Funeral: 2 p.m. Friday at Pleasant Ridge Church of Christ. Burial: Emerald Hills Memorial Park. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Pleasant Ridge Church of Christ, 6102 West Pleasant Ridge Road, Arlington.
Zachary was born Oct. 7, 1985, in Shawnee, Okla., to Dean and Jane Rutledge. As a child, Zachary always had an interest in aviation and space exploration. His goal was to one day complete his Air Force training, become a pilot and fly for NASA. He was a 2004 graduate of Summit High School in Mansfield, finishing in the top 10% of his class. As a cadet for the high school JROTC, he held the rank of lieutenant colonel and was a battalion commander. As a member of Pleasant Ridge Church of Christ, Zachary was very involved in the church youth group, attending many church mission trips, student leadership retreats, and he participated in the North Texas Leadership Training for Christ. Zachary was currently attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Ariz., achieving his dream in aerospace engineering.
Survivors: His parents, Dean and Jane Rutledge of Arlington; sister, Sara Baragona and her husband, Scott, and daughter, Ashley, of Memphis, Tenn.; paternal grandparents, Carl and Linda Rutledge of Oklahoma City, Okla.; maternal grandparents, Don and Marjorie Pigg of Altus, Okla.; four aunts and uncles; nine cousins; and many friends.
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Memories and Condolences
for Zachary Rutledge
Terri Pae
April 8, 2006
Dear Rutledge family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your precious son. Such a tragedy. May God be with you during this time and know that you are surrounded by family and friends praying for you. God Bless.
Megan Strandstra
April 7, 2006
Dear Zach-
I still can't believe you are gone, but I take great comfort in knowing that you are watching over us. I will always remember the times I spent with you especially the time we were at the movies and you recieved that very "interesting phone call" and when you stayed up all night on the phone with me telling me about Riddle. Oh and I almost forgot...when you came to my dorm at school at like 8:30 am on a Saturday wearing your BDU's and black face paint. You are amazing, and you will be with me forever. Thanks for the memories.
Love Always, Megan
SHSA Aaron Rowley USN
April 6, 2006
zach,
it only seems like yester day when i remember all the times that we spent playing with batman toys and helping you move out of your house for the first time. all the times we had were just so awesome. one of my most memorable memories was when we took you home with us from church camp. and we flew up to iowa to meet your parents there. it is hard to believe that you are gone. and all the times we ate at polo's. i wish i had been to your funeral in person but i was there in heart.
dean,jane,and sara
i cant find the words to describe what impact zach had on my life. i cant imagine knowing what it is like losing a son but i do know what it feels like to lose someone that i consider not only my best friend but even more so than that an older brother that i never had. i pray for you every night before i go to bed praying for strength to get through this hard time and that you all will have many good times to come. i am here for anything that u need as far as words of comfort.
Mandie Shaeffer
March 31, 2006
Zach,
I can't believe that you are not here with us anymore. You helped me when I first arrived at Summit. I will never forget everything that you taught me. You were always so consdierated of how people were feeling. I wish that the new cadets in R.O.T.C. had met you. I will never forget what you taught me about being a good leader. Everyone misses you and we will never forget you.
Sami Ferguson
March 30, 2006
I don't even know where to begin to express my condolences. I knew Zach throughout high school but didn't ever really get to know him until our senior year. He has made an impact on my life just like he has on everyone else he ever knew. I'm very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you always.
Jeff Richey
March 30, 2006
Dear Rutledge Family,
I wanted to express my condolances about Zach. I worked with Zach last semester in Arnold Air Society and I was very impressed with his attitude and hard work. I guess I just wanted to let you know that he touched the lives of everyone, even those who only knew him for a short time.
BARBARA CUDDY
March 29, 2006
We are deeply sadden by the loss of Zach. He was a great role model for kids of all ages and a friendly neighbor. Our prayers are with you Dean, Jane & Sara.
Barbara Cuddy & Taylor Johnson
Randy and Lou Ann Jordan
March 22, 2006
Dean, Jane and Sara- We love you and our prayers are with you. Zach was a wonderful young man who impacted many lives. Thank you for bringing up such a great young man. Zach has reached the goal we all desire-he is with God. Although our grief and pain for his loss is great, take comfort in knowing he's with our Father. I was comforted as we laid Zach to rest, a lone small jet flew overhead, that along with the sounds of wind chimes blowing in the breeze, reassured me Zach was in our presence and at peace. God bless and keep you.
Victoria Miller
March 21, 2006
Zach was a REAL friend. I miss him so much. I love him and his family very much still. And, the unconditional love Zach ans his family gave me, I will not soon forget. God Bless.
Jared Jordan
March 20, 2006
Hey Zach....
I STILL CANT BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE GONE!!! IT HAS BEEN HARD THESE PAST COUPLE DAYS... AND I KNOW THAT IT STILL HASNT HIT ME ALL THE WAY YET... I MISS YOU MAN!!! THE GUYS DID AN AWESOME JOB READING THEIR LETTERS TO YOU... I COULDNT HELP BUT CRY THE WHOLE SERVICE... IM SORRY... BUT I LOVE YOU SO MUCH MAN AND I AM GOING TO MISS THE ANNUAL SARAN WRAP REGAN TO THE POST... YOU WERE AN AMAZING GUY!!! THANKS FOR ALL OF THOSE TIMES THAT YOU DROVE ME HOME BECAUSE I COULDNT DRIVE YET... YOU WERE ALWAYS WILLING TO... YOU WERE ONE OF MY BIGGEST ROLE MODELS!!! I LOVE YOU MAN AND I AM GOING TO MISS YOU... I HAVE GONE TO SEE YOU 2 SINCE YOU WERE BURRIED ON FRIDAY...
DEAN AND JANE... I AM HERE FOR YOU WHEN EVER YOU NEED ME OK!!! I CANT EVEN BEGIN TO IMAGINE HOW MUCH PAIN YOU ARE IN... BUT I JUST WANTED YALL TO KNOW THAT I AM HERE ANYTIME OF ANYDAY... THANKS FOR ALWAYS MAKING ME FEEL WELCOME AT YOUR HOUSE... I LOVE YOU SO MUCH... YOUR FAMILY IS IN MY PRAYERS
LOVE YOU ALL... ESPECIALLY YOU ZACH!!!
Becky Rutledge
March 20, 2006
Dean, Jane & Sara
Me & the Girls were shocked to hear about the death of Zach. Plese know that our prayers are with you and the family at this time.
Stephen Gaultney Family
March 20, 2006
Dear Rutledge Family,
We are saddened by the loss of your son Zack. Please know that we are thinking of you and are praying for your family.
George & Lori Henderson
March 20, 2006
Dear Rutledge family,
Words cannot express the feelings we are having right now for you. Our sympathy,love & prayers will be with you. Zach was a fabulous Christian man and will be missed very much.
Charlene Dunham
March 19, 2006
I will always remember Zachary as one of the most outstanding students I have had in my math classes at Summit High School. We often talked about his dream of entering the field of aeronautics and now, Zach has taken the ultimate flight--to Heaven's Gate.
Zach was a credit to his parent's and to his community and I grieve for the loss of his potential here on earth--while taking comfort in the knowledge that our loss has been Heaven's gain.
Mrs. D
David and Iva Nell Kemp
March 19, 2006
Dear Family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Our sincere sympathy is with you.
Our love,
Tammy Rogers
March 18, 2006
We are deeply saddened by your loss. Your family has always been one that we have admired and loved as Christians.
Christian Love,
Jeff and Tammy Rogers
Amber Wroblski-Mason
March 17, 2006
Dear Rutledge Family,
Please know that you have many many people praying for you. Also know that you can rest a little easier knowing that Zach was a Christian, very strong in his faith and now he is with the almighty father. Have peace in knowing you will one day see him again.
Richard Ramos
March 17, 2006
I met Rutledge freshman year at Mansfield High School in the ROTC program. Though I don't consider him a close a friend, he was still a friend; I don't have many of those. We did 4 years of ROTC together, and without him we would never have been able to jump start the ROTC at Summit. While I may have dedicated all of my energy to the program, Rutledge was able to give the same dedication and do much more else where. He had an Air Force ROTC scholarship, and with his death I have lost a friend and America has lost a leader and civil servant. Goodbye C/LTC Rutledge, first Battalion Commander of the Summit JROTC from your XO and Co-Commander.
Kimbra Elliott
March 17, 2006
Dear Rutledge family,
I find myself very lucky to have known your son. he had an amazing personality and touched many lives here on earth. My sympothy is reached out to all of you. And i pray that you rest in knowing that Zach lived everyday in Gods word. He was a wonderful man and is in a much better place now smiling down on us wanting us to be happy for him for he is where we would all love to be. We will see him again someday.
Jackie Harrison
March 17, 2006
I went to school with Zach until the high schools separated. He was really sweet and lead one of my friends to church. He really touched me and will never be forgotten. My prayers are with your family.
TJ Henne
March 17, 2006
I never know Zach very well, he was above me R.O.T.C. so I never deemed it appropriate to aproach him in the friendly way. I respected him more that anyone else I know his age. He is an amazing person.
Stan & Kandi Gregg
March 16, 2006
Dear Dean, Jane & Sara,
We are very saddened at the loss of Zach. We want you know that you are in our prayers now, and will continue in the coming days. Stacey called us Saturday from CA. to tell us. We want you know that we love you all and may God bless you at this time. love Stan & Kandi Gregg
Greg and Alison Pirtle
March 16, 2006
Dear Rutledge family,
Zach was in our work camp group 6 years ago when Greg first became the youth minister at North Davis. It has been such a joy to watch Zach grow into a mature and respectful man of God. We feel honored to have known him. Please know that countless prayers are being lifted up to the Father on your behalf.
Walter and Anne Alcorn
March 16, 2006
Jane, Dean, and Sara:
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you. Your compassion to us, though strangers, last year was deeply appreciated. We pray the Lord will give you peace and comfort during this time.
INA MALONE
March 16, 2006
To The Family of Zack Rutledge: My sympathy is sent with christian love. I share in your sorrow as I lost my son very suddenly when he suffered a fatal heart attack one and one-half years ago. God will get us through with our faith. Love and prayers always. INA MALONE, Pleasant Ridge Church Member.
Barbara Littlefield
March 16, 2006
Dean, Jane and Sara:
I cannot imagine the pain you are going through right now. Zach was a wonderful person with great potential. I believe his potential will be used on the other side, and that you will see him again. My heart is full of sadness for your loss, and gratefulness for your warm family.
Shannon Ripkowski
March 16, 2006
Dean & Jane,
There are now words that I can give to ease your pain. Please know that you have my deepest sympathy for the loss of Zach and my prayers continue for you and your family.
Summit High Honor Society Awards 2003
Greg & Beverly Miller
March 16, 2006
Our daughter, Victoria was greatly inspired by Zach. She chose well to follow Zach into ROTC and spend many months as his high school sweetheart. It is with a profound sense of loss that we remember the fine young man that he was. The world really needs more people like Zach Rutledge.
John Williams
March 16, 2006
I always remember Zach as a wonderful, caring, polite young man. I wish I had a million more just like him. My prayers are with your family.
John Williams
Summit High School Counselor
Melissa Mason
March 16, 2006
We do not know each other personally. Our connection would be that your son and my son shared many of the same dreams and seemed to live their lives similarly. My son attends Air Force Academy, but looked very closely at Embry-Riddle. I was moved to contact you and express my condolences and pray for you. I know how deeply the love of a child runs. I am sure the life your son lived blessed many more. God be with you.
Carla Roper
March 16, 2006
Dear Dean, Jane, and Sara-
We were devestated to hear the news of Zach, especially when we were celebrating a wedding in our own family. What a fine young man he was. You have all been in our daily prayers and we pray that God will lift you all up and hold you close right now and through the days to come. What a wonderful family you have and we love you all dearly. May God Bless.
love, Steve and Carla Roper
Sam & Jane Hickam
March 16, 2006
Words cannot express how deeply we hurt for you, Dean, Jane and Sara. we admire your incredible strength, your deep Christian faith, and your acceptance of God's will. Know that you are loved and in our prayers daily , now and in the weeks and months to come.
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