Cary Rutland

Cary Rutland, 73, of Fortson, GA died Saturday, September 11, 2021 at his home.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Monday, September 20, 2021 at Beallwood Baptist Church with Rev. Billy Duncan officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church according to McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907.

Cary was born on September 1, 1948 in Rome, GA to the late Mary Lee Melton and Leslie Blake Rutland.  Cary was proud to serve in the US Army for 20 years.  He volunteered right out of high school and went to Jump School at Ft. Benning.  He served in the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam and retired in 1986 as a 1st Sergeant.  He was attached to many different units.  He was a jump instructor/master with the 82nd Airborne.  He was a member of the Silver Wings demonstration team.  But if you asked him he would say he was “Airborne all the way!”

He was an electrical draftsman for Lummus Industries until they moved their operation to Savannah.  He then decided to be self employed and did home repairs and house painting.  He volunteered for House of Heroes until he went to work for them.  Then he retired again.   But retirement for Cary just gave him more time to provide a helping hand to those who needed his home repair and ramp building skills.  He and Ken German started a “Helping Hands” ministry at Beallwood Baptist Church and that kept them both busy.  He was happy when he was helping others.  He went on mission trips either distributing Bibles or doing some construction work for churches in many areas in the Southeast and in Chiapas Mexico.

Other than his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers; Robert Eugene Melton, Leslie Blake Rutland, Jr. and sister Sybil Louise King.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Linda Steele Rutland, 3 children; Vicki Rae Whitt Daniel (Clay), Brad Randolph Whitt, Stuart Rutland, grandchildren; Carey Wayne Hammock, Jr. “CJ”, Christopher Logan Hammock (Tori), Andrew Rutland, Leslie Rae Hammock Pangle (Kyle), Jonathan Maxamus Rutland, Rebeca Del Alba Rutland, great grandsons; Kayden Zane Vernon, Aesir Osiris Hammock, sisters Mary Ann Rutland Adams (Dayton), Maxine Rutland Kana (Paul), Francis Rutland Little (Danny), Mary Kate Rutland, many nieces, nephews, friends of his grandchildren and nieces that called him PePaw or Uncle Cary.

Cary was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. His greatest joy in this life was the time he spent with the grandchildren.  Each one would probably say they were his favorite and be accurate.  He was an extraordinary man who will be missed by family and friends alike. 

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to House of Heroes because of Cary’s work with and involvement in the organization at Houseofheroescvc.org @ 1225 Webster Ave., Columbus, GA 31901.

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