James Perry Rutledge

James Perry Rutledge, 81, of Leavenworth, Kansas slipped away to Heaven on January 1, 2024 at his home in Leavenworth, Kansas after a long illness. Jim was born January 11, 1942 in Glasgow, Kentucky and lived there until 1961 farming and raising tobacco.

Jim was the son of Glen Rutledge and Ina Nell Rutledge of Glasgow, Kentucky.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, “Dixie” of the home. Also surviving are his two sons, Daniel Joseph Rutledge of Topeka, Kansas and Cameron Glen Rutledge of the home in Leavenworth, Kansas; two brothers, Lyndal Ray Rutledge and Jerry Lee Rutledge, both of Glasgow, Kentucky; one sister, Joyce Faye Jeffries of Horse Cave, Kentucky; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jim was a military veteran of the Army who served and trained for two years and two months from 1964-1966 at Fort Polk, Louisiana and Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

A born again Christian and a member of Gospel Temple church for over 15 years with Pastor Ralph Houghton officiating in Shawnee, Kansas.

Jim came to Kansas City in 1961 and worked for Midwest Metal Products wiring teletype machines in the Fairfax District of Kansas City for five years. He also worked for the Board of Public Utilities in Kansas City, Kansas for two years.

In 1977, Jim opened his own business, Rutledge Backhoe & Environmental, pumping fuel products for many industries for over 20 years.

Jim had in interest in pool in which he was an avid player, traveling to many tournaments in the U.S. He was also a big collector of pocketknives, marbles, baseball and Harley Davidson memorabilia, and farming toys. Most of all, Jim enjoyed traveling over the US and Canada with his family after retiring, where they visited H.D. shops and other sites. He also loved to ride his 1999 tangerine Harley motorcycle with a sidecar for “Cameron”.

Jim will be remembered as a very giving and caring person for those who were in need. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

A very special thank you to: Carolyn Dossey, S. Ed. Teacher, Wayne Wilmer and Danny Johnson, who were his closest caregivers for over 30 years for Cameron.

A visitation for James will be held Wednesday, January 10, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Chapel Hill - Butler Funeral Home, 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66112, followed by a funeral services at 11:00 AM.

Serving as pallbearers are Jerry Lee Rutledge, Jonathan Rutledge, Timothy Jeffries, Kenny Shoemaker, David Shoemaker, Roger Lee Brown and Charles Dossey.