Nelson Rutter

Nelson Lee Rutter, lovingly known as Papasan, went to meet his heavenly Father on Saturday, February 7, 2026, after a brief illness; and, the day after the stock market had its all-time high.

Nelson was born on June 9, 1938, in Hereford, Texas, into the home of Marion and Lois Rutter, along with older brother, Clayton Gene. Sister, Cleta Kay joined the family within years after Nelson.

He attended school in Hereford, Texas, and graduated from Hereford High School in 1956.

Sue and Nelson married on June 20, 1958, at the Temple Baptist Church in Hereford. Nelson and Sue lived in Amarillo while Nelson was attending Amarillo Junior College which is now called Amarillo College. After Nelson's graduation from AJC, they moved to Lubbock where Nelson continued his studies in civil engineering at Texas Tech University. Upon Nelson's graduation from Texas Tech University, they moved to Washington, D.C. where he was employed by the D.C. Bridge and Traffic Department. While in D.C., their son, Marion Ty joined them in 1961.

In March, 1964, the family moved to Clovis, NM, where Nelson was employed by the U.S. Air Force as a Civil Engineer; and, their daughter, Twila Ky was born later that year.

Nelson and Sue were active in the First Baptist Church of Clovis. In 1988, Sue and Nelson relocated to Tokyo, Japan where they were very active at the Kanto Plains Baptist Church in Fussa, Japan.

On several occasions, Nelson and Sue were the "chaplains" at the New Otani Hotel in downtown Tokyo. The Southern Baptist had been having daily devotionals in the tea house in the garden of the New Otani since the Olympics of 1964. The chaplains were provided through the International Mission Board. They lived at the hotel for several weeks and took care of the duties there leading daily devotionals.

In 1996, Sue and Nelson relocated to Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City Beach, Florida, where Nelson was the Deputy Base Civil Engineer. While there, they were active in the First Baptist Church. In 1997, Nelson was once again assigned to another special place, the Azores, Lajes Air Base, as the Deputy Base Civil Engineer. They joined the Azorean Baptist Church where Nelson served as the Treasurer and a Deacon.

In December 1999, Nelson retired from the Department of Defense, and they returned to their home in Clovis where he continued to serve the Lord and became a member of Central Baptist Church. He served as a Deacon for many years and was honored as Deacon Emeritus.

Nelson continued working on wind farms in Eastern New Mexico and West Texas as a site engineer before his official retirement from his second career in 2009.

Nelson enjoyed preparing tax returns, playing 42, fishing, hunting and being with his only grandchild, Tasan who was "not spoiled, just blessed".

Since 2023, Nelson was a resident at Wheatfields Estates in Clovis. Both Nelson and his family appreciated the care and compassion given by the staff there. Nelson enjoyed his time at Wheatfields as long as they had his biscuits and gravy prepared correctly!

Pallbearers are Jerry Shugart, Benny Cordova, Rutter Blackburn, Marvin Blackburn, Randy Johnson, Steve Rutter and Allan Rutter. Honorary pallbearers are all of the Deacons at Central Baptist Church.

Nelson is survived by son; Marion Ty (Ellen, his favorite daughter-in-law) of Clovis, daughter; Twila Ky (Dave, his favorite son-in-law) of Clovis, and his only beloved grandchild; Tasan Nicole, sister; Cleta and Marvin Blackburn, numerous nieces and nephews; Kriste Jackson, Darrell Lynn Sparks, Lori Browning, Jan and Kenneth McBeth, Steve and MaryAnn Rutter, Allan and Melanie Rutter, Rutter and Michelle Blackburn; and step-grandchildren Bianca Beltran and Conner Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sibling; Clayton Gene, and his bride of 63 years, Carol Sue.

In lieu of flowers, Nelson requested that donations be made to the Baptist Children's Home, 2200 S. Avenue I, Portales, NM 88130.

Family visitation and viewing will be on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the Chapel of Angels, 1430 N Thornton Street, Clovis, NM. Following the visitation and viewing, the burial will be held at West Park Cemetery, Hereford, Texas, at 2:00 p.m. MST; 3:00 p.m. CST.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Muffley Funeral Home, www.muffleyfuneralhome.com, 575-762-4435.