Jackson Rutledge

Jackson "Jack" Rutledge, age 84, died on May, 30, 2015, in Las Cruces NM. Jackson was born to Pearl Jackson Rutledge and John William "Bill" Rutledge in El Paso, TX on June 11, 1930. Jackson's early childhood was spent on a ranch in South Texas where his mother was employed. They moved to the area outside of Merkel, TX where Jackson attended grammar school; and eventually relocated to Clovis, NM where Jackson attended high school and joined the National Guard. Jackson's National Guard unit was called to active duty during the Korean War. He was trained as a mechanic at Fort Aberdeen and served honorably until receiving a medical discharge in 1952. After completing his military service, Jackson lived in various areas of both TX and NM and worked in the automotive industry as a mechanic and welder. He also worked on a crew building grain elevators in NM and TX and lived in Bakersfield, CA where he owned and operated an auto salvage yard. Upon returning to NM and settling in Albuquerque, Jackson attended St. Joseph's College and studied to be a high school shop teacher; he chose to continue working in the automotive industry rather than pursue teaching and owned/operated a garage in Albuquerque. A previous back injury caused Jackson to decide to learn a trade that didn't require as much lifting, and he trained as a silver smith, learning to design and fabricate silver and turquoise jewelry. Jackson spent many years selling wholesale and second/irregular clothing and loved working at flea markets all over NM. Jackson and his family lived on Animas Creek, outside of Truth or Consequences NM, for many years before moving to Las Cruces, NM. In Las Cruces, Jackson was mostly retired but kept busy buying and selling real estate. He was an excellent amateur builder and loved to design and remodel living spaces. Motorcycles were Jackson's favorite hobby and he always had several different motorcycles to ride, including sidecar models and trikes, both Honda and Indian. He loved to ride and shared that with all of his lifelong friends. For several months as a young man he rode cross country, spending time in many different communities during his travels. Jackson loved animals and kids. He was a friendly and outgoing man with a great sense of humor; he liked to meet people and talk. Jackson is survived by his wife Jan, of the family home. In addition to Jan, Jackson is survived by his daughter Jackie Box and her husband Wayne, daughter Barbara Rutledge Dillaway and her husband Pete, stepson Mike Harper and his wife Colleen, stepson Neal Harper, 11 grandchildren - Howard Theron Hommer, Michael Lewis, Dawn Zoe Hommer, Sonia Dillaway Reich, Wayne Reich, Adam Dillaway, Madison Irene Harper, Allison Angela Dillaway, Louis Peter Dillaway, Charles Jackson Dillaway and Emorie Pearl Dillaway, as well as 3 great-grandchildren - Allen Ray Garcia, Aislinn Grace Garcia and Caleb Henry Reich. Angela Diane Torres was also just like a daughter to Jackson. Jackson is also survived by his sister Harriet Kirby and her family Mike and Maricela Badley, Gary Badley, Fernando Badley and his wife Jennifer and their 4 children. Jackson leaves behind many other family members as well as several friends who were just as loved as his family. A Celebration of Life will be held at East Mesa Baptist Church in Las Cruces NM on Friday, June 5, 2015 at 10:00 am. Pastor James Pratt of East Mesa Baptist Church will officiate with eulogy to be delivered by Minister of the Gospel Duane Baker. Honorary pallbearers will be: Bob Burton, Mike Beattie, Paul Torres, Tom Dayberry, Tim Degroot, Mike Badley, Steve Chacon, Charles Williams, Fernando Badley, Pete Dillaway, Wayne Reich and Omar Hernandez. Jackson will be cremated and internment of his remains will take place at a later date at Vista Memory Gardens in Truth or Consequences, NM.