Jess Rutherford

Overland Park, KAN. -- Jessie Charles "J.C." Rutherford, 91, recently of Overland Park and long-term resident of Cape Girardeau County, passed away Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park.

He was born Nov. 10, 1930, in Tuscumbia, Alabama, to the late Herbert John and Magnolia "Nola" Smith Rutherford. He and Jacqueline "Jackie" Williams were united in marriage Feb. 19, 1956, in Independence, Missouri. They shared 66 years together.

Jessie proudly served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1953.

Jessie was sole proprietor of a large drywall company in the Chicago area until moving to Cape Girardeau in 1971. In Cape Girardeau, he continued in the construction business as well as owning and operating a successful cattle and row crop farm. He later moved to Oak Ridge and then to Jackson until recently, when he relocated to Overland Park to be closer to his family. He was a member of First General Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Loving survivors include his wife, Jackie Rutherford of Overland Park; daughter, Jo Carol of Palm City, Florida; sons, Jeffrey Charles of Riverview, Florida, and James Curtis of Overland Park; brother, Aubrey Rutherford of Millersville; sister, Betty Stockton of Catron, Missouri; grandson, James Rutherford Johnston of Raleigh. North Carolina; granddaughters, Janelle Christine, Julie Cailyn and Jenna Catherine Rutherford, all of Overland Park; and great-granddaughters, Eva Mei and Maren Yen Johnston of Raleigh.

Jessie was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Milton Rutherford.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 2, at the funeral home with the Rev. Keith Luke officiating. Entombment with full military honors will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given to Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.