Larry Rutledge

Larry Ozen Rutledge, son of Elree Ozen and Laverne ( G r a n d s t a ff)Rutledge, was born November 19, 1943 at home in BirchTree,Missouri. Hepassed away at his home in Summersville, Missouri with his loving family by his side on June 19, 2024 at the age of 80 years and 7 months. He closed hiseyesandhisLordandSavior, JesusChrist, took him home.

Larry eloped with Patricia Malone on July 10, 1965, being married for nearly 59 years. To this union, five children were born: Lawrence John, LeNora Ann, Thomas Eugene, Cynthia Lucille and Jesse Ta y l o r.

He grew up in Birch Tree and graduated from Birch Tree High School. After graduating, he joined the United States Navy. After completing basic training, he was stationed at Brooklyn, NewYork on the USS Sullivans DD 537 and later in New London,ConnecticutontheUSS WitekDD848. He waswith the Military Police, sometimes they had to drag himback to the ship.

He started his law enforcement career in Salem, graduating from the Missouri Highway Patrol Academy in J e fferson City in 1977. Throughout his 30-year career, he served as a security off i c e r, police off i c e r, chief of police, drug enforcement officer and later as Sherriff of Shannon C o u n t y. He worked hard to fight the drug problems with his drug dog, Kirby.

Larry loved his family and appreciated every friendship he had. He enjoyed fishing and hunting as of January, 2023, makingmoonshine!Hisfamily gave him the title of “Popcorn Rut.” He tried for yearsto convince us there was a bigfoot, aliens and UFO’s but to no avail. He looked forward to talking on the phone with his cousin Joe, his uncle Leroy, and his old Navy buddy Dave S t a n d l e y. He was a very blessed man to have our daughter Cindy be his most loving caretaker and son Jesse rubbing his head when he came over and saying “wake up old man.”

Preceding him in death were his daughter, LeNora Ann; his parents, Elree and LaVe r n e ; sisters, Evelyn, Margaret and Moreen and his beloved brothe r, William John; grandson, Johnny and great-grandson, Tucker as well as his beloved dog, Willie Boy.

Larry is survived by the love of his life, Pat; children, Larry John, To m m y, Cindy and Jesse; 16 grandchildren plus one adopted grandson, Bill Hogan; 21 great-grandchildren; brothers, Jack, Roy and Alex and sisters, Jewell and Carol. He loved and cherished all his grandchildren, but there was a special bond between grandpa and Nate, what Nate wanted, Nate got!

We want to thank our friends for their kindness - also Larry’s VA D o c t o r Kuzas, who was the BEST. Larry Rutledge will always be a legend to his family.

Revelation 21:4: And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neithersorrow nor pain; nor crying, for the former things are passed away!

Funeral services were held at 10:00, Monday, June 24th at Bradford Funeral Home with Jerry Piatt off i c i a t i n g . Interment was in the Oak Forest Cemetery at Birch Tree. Services were under the care of Bradford Funeral Home and online condolences may be left at www. b r a d f o r df u n e r a l h o m e . n e t