Joel graduated from South Gwinnett High School in Snellville, GA, Class of 1967.
After graduation he joined the Georgia Air National Guard and started his career with Southern Bell. He had over 30 years of service with both BellSouth and the Georgia Army National Guard at the time of his retirement.
Joel loved his South Gwinnett Comets and filmed games for the football program for 48 years and for the basketball program for 25 years.
Joel rebuilt and won numerous awards for his 1968 GTX and his 1980 Cudda.
Joel is survived by his wife Cynthia Antrim-Rutledge of Suwanee, GA, Children, Stephanie Rutledge Virag (Mike) of Heath, TX, Barbara Rutledge Coleman (Brent) of Woodstock, GA, Wesley Antrim of Denver CO, Lindsey Antrim-Trenary (Eric) of Suwanee, GA. Joel was the best PawPaw and Pop to his grandchildren Christeena Grace Rinker, Christopher Peyton Rinker, Kayla Elizabeth Virag, Kaden Michael Virag, Kylie Monteen Virag, Harper Trenary and Weston Trenary along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Joel is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Eli Rutledge and Velma Long Rutledge, Brothers, Ronald Sherman Rutledge and Carlton Rutledge and former spouse Teena Gippert Rutledge.
A visitation for Joel will be held Wednesday, October 5, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Eternal Hills Funeral Home, 3594 Stone Mountain Highway, Snellville, Georgia, followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 PM. Joel will be laid to rest in Eternal Hills Memory Gardens, 3700 Stone Mountain Hwy, Snellville, Georgia.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundations – Joel Alan Rutledge Memorial Scholarship (Gwinnett County Public School Foundation (gcps-foundation.org)) and Gamers Outreach (www.GamersOutreach.org) a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity that empowers hospitalized children and families by making play possible.
Joel loved all things family, football and fast cars.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eternalhillsfuneralhome.com for the Rutledge family.
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