Larry Ozen Rutledge, son of Elree Ozen and Laverne (Grandstaff) Rutledge, was born November 19, 1943 at home in Birch Tree, Missouri. He passed 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 his eyes and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, 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 Taylor.
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, New York on the USS Sullivans DD 537 and later in New London, Connecticut on the USS Witek DD 848. He was with the Military Police, sometimes they had to drag him back to the ship.
He started his law enforcement career in Salem, graduating from the Missouri Highway Patrol Academy in Jefferson City in 1977. Throughout his 30-year career, he served as a security officer, police officer, chief of police, drug enforcement officer and later as Sherriff of Shannon County. 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, making moonshine! His family gave him the title of “Popcorn Rut.” He tried for years to 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 Standley. 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 LaVerne; sisters, Evelyn, Margaret and Moreen and his beloved brother, 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, Tommy, 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 Doctor 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, neither sorrow nor pain; nor crying, for the former things are passed away!
