Charles Barclay Rutherford

CPO Charles Barclay Rutherford USN (Ret.) passed away peacefully at the home of his daughter, Lynda Rutherford Abram on Monday, January 9, 2012. The relatives and friends of Charles Barclay Rutherford are invited to attend his funeral on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at J.Henry Stuhr West Ashley Chapel at 12 o'clock Noon. The family will receive relatives and friends 1 hour prior to the service. Internment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery; Ft. Johnson Road, Charleston, SC. Visitation will be held at J. Henry Stuhr, West Ashley Chapel on Wednesday from 5:00 until 7:00 o'clock.

Charles Barclay Rutherford was born on November 12, 1926 in Wauchula, Florida, son of the late Leona Chaudoin Purvis and Charles Barclay Rutherford. He was predeceased by his wife, Anita Geraldine Rutherford (Jerry) and a brother Gene Rutherford. Charles joined the Navy at 17 years of age and retired after 22 years service as a Chief Petty Officer. His military service included serving on the USS Seafox, USS Cabezon, USS Sea Devil, USS Cusk, USS Segundo, USS Bream, USS Bushnell, USS Batfish, USS Penguin and the USS Sennet. He was a proud Submariner and a decorated war veteran serving in WWII and the Korean Conflict. After retirement from the Navy, he went to work for Raytheon and the FAA, which he also retired as a civil servant.

Charles, lovingly known as PaPa, grew up in scouting and volunteered as a scout leader for his sons and grandson. He also volunteered for the soup kitchen and Lutheran Brotherhood. He was a longtime member of the Elks Lodge and Rifle Club and spent many hours volunteering for kitchen committee's serving many delicious meals. He became a member of the Palmetto Gun Club later in life and joined the Single Action Shooting Society. He received great pleasure in the love of his family, friends, hobbies and volunteer work. Charles was a member of St. Andrews Lutheran Church, which merged with Holy Spirit Lutheran Church and served on several committees throughout the years. PaPa loved talking to anyone and everyone about gardening, cooking-his collection of cookbooks and recipes, his knife collection- and how to sharpen knives the "correct way"- and his joy of shooting and fishing.

Charles (PaPa) will be remembered and greatly missed by his daughter, Lynda Rutherford Abram (Brian), and his sons, Lawrence Rutherford (Marcella), and Eddie Rutherford (Robin), as well as his grandchildren, Hank Holst (Dawn), Nancy Whittaker (Scott), Lauren Milleman (Sammy), Billy Rutherford, Michael Rutherford, and Amy Perugini (Justin), and his great grandchildren, Hannah Holst, Charles Holst, Taylor Bishop, Bailey Ann Milleman and Luke Perugini. Charles is also survived by a sister, Margie Griffin of Florida, a brother, Herman Purvis of Georgia, a sister-in-law Elizabeth Lofton, and brother and sister-in-law William Barnett (Vivian), including many nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by his loving companion, Stella Grady and her children Dixie Roberts (Jim), Harriett Thomas, Cindy Nigel (Scott) and their children and grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff of Piedmont Hospice for the loving care they not only gave our father, but to our entire family during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Piedmont Hospice or the building fund for Holy Spirit Lutheran Church.