Jerry Lynn Rutter
November 30, 1939 ~ June 15, 2022 (age 82) 82 Years Old
Obituary
Jerry Lynn Rutter of Corpus Christi, Texas passed away on June 15, 2022, at the age of 82. Jerry entered the hospital on May 18th for hip replacement surgery but suffered several setbacks after the surgery. He entered hospice on June 10th and many of his family members were able to spend time with him prior to his death.
Jerry was born in Kansas City, Missouri on November 30, 1939, to Glenn Willis Rutter and Eula May Rutter, joining his older brother, Larry Joe Rutter. Jerry was primarily raised by his mother, and Grandmother and Granddad, Etta Mae and John William Snodgrass. Growing up he spent a lot of time in St. Joseph, Missouri, where his grandparents lived. He attended Westport High School, graduating in 1957 and then attended Wichita State University before graduating with his Bachelor of Science degree from University of Missouri, Kansas City in 1962. While in high school, at the age of 16, he met the love of his life, Margaret Joan Smith. They met when their mothers took them on a trip to the Ozarks. Jerry was shy, and Joan was told not to talk too much but it worked out. They would have been married 62 years on June 25, 2022. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree, he earned his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1967. The family then moved to Overland Park, Kansas where Jerry worked for Spencer Oil, which then became Gulf Oil Company until 1979. In 1979, the family moved to Mentor, Ohio where Jerry worked for Lubrizol Corporation until his retirement in 2002. Upon retirement, Jerry and Joan moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where he resided until his death.
Jerry had many loves – family, continued learning, family genealogy, travel, pugs, stained glass, and creating wooden toys. He had an amazing intellect and memory, coupled with a dry sense of humor. Jerry will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents and nephews Gary Rutter, Craig Rutter, and niece, Cheryl Rutter. Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Joan, and daughters Janet Rutter De Vilbiss (Barry De Vilbiss) and Jennifer Lee Martin (Kevin Martin); grandchildren Katelyn Martin (Sean Daigle), Madison Martin, Tessa De Vilbiss, Jared De Vilbiss, and Reide De Vilbiss. He is also survived by his brother, Larry Joe Rutter, and nieces Monica Kroupa, Julie Atkins, Jackie Grove Denton, and nephew William Grove.
A service will be held for Jerry at The Viera Senior Living Community, 3010 Airline Rd, Corpus Christi, Texas on July 10th, 2022 at 11:00 am in the theater. All are invited to attend.
People wishing to honor Jerry can donate to KEDT where Jerry and Joan spent many hours donating time and services to support local public radio.
Jerry was born in Kansas City, Missouri on November 30, 1939, to Glenn Willis Rutter and Eula May Rutter, joining his older brother, Larry Joe Rutter. Jerry was primarily raised by his mother, and Grandmother and Granddad, Etta Mae and John William Snodgrass. Growing up he spent a lot of time in St. Joseph, Missouri, where his grandparents lived. He attended Westport High School, graduating in 1957 and then attended Wichita State University before graduating with his Bachelor of Science degree from University of Missouri, Kansas City in 1962. While in high school, at the age of 16, he met the love of his life, Margaret Joan Smith. They met when their mothers took them on a trip to the Ozarks. Jerry was shy, and Joan was told not to talk too much but it worked out. They would have been married 62 years on June 25, 2022. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree, he earned his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1967. The family then moved to Overland Park, Kansas where Jerry worked for Spencer Oil, which then became Gulf Oil Company until 1979. In 1979, the family moved to Mentor, Ohio where Jerry worked for Lubrizol Corporation until his retirement in 2002. Upon retirement, Jerry and Joan moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where he resided until his death.
Jerry had many loves – family, continued learning, family genealogy, travel, pugs, stained glass, and creating wooden toys. He had an amazing intellect and memory, coupled with a dry sense of humor. Jerry will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents and nephews Gary Rutter, Craig Rutter, and niece, Cheryl Rutter. Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Joan, and daughters Janet Rutter De Vilbiss (Barry De Vilbiss) and Jennifer Lee Martin (Kevin Martin); grandchildren Katelyn Martin (Sean Daigle), Madison Martin, Tessa De Vilbiss, Jared De Vilbiss, and Reide De Vilbiss. He is also survived by his brother, Larry Joe Rutter, and nieces Monica Kroupa, Julie Atkins, Jackie Grove Denton, and nephew William Grove.
A service will be held for Jerry at The Viera Senior Living Community, 3010 Airline Rd, Corpus Christi, Texas on July 10th, 2022 at 11:00 am in the theater. All are invited to attend.
People wishing to honor Jerry can donate to KEDT where Jerry and Joan spent many hours donating time and services to support local public radio.
To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.
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