James Edward Rutledge, 73, of Lowell, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 3, 2022 at Lowell General Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Irene (Beausoleil) Rutledge with who he shared 14 years of marriage.
Jim was born on June 3, 1948 in Charleston, West Virginia where he was raised and educated. He eventually attained a Masters Degree in Business Administration.
Jim served his country in the United States Army for a period of 5 years before he was honorably discharged. He was stationed in Turkey during some of his service and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
Most recently, Jim worked on the Supreme Council of the Masonic Lodge in Lexington as an administrative assistant for 10 years before retirement. He also previously worked at Lechemere and Kmart Warehouse, where he met his eventual wife, Irene. He also was a lay speaker at his church, Centralville United Methodist Church.
Jim loved sports, both playing and coaching football in his younger years and he was a lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers. He also enjoyed baseball and was an avid fan of the New York Yankees.
He is survived by his wife, Irene Rutledge, his step daughter Melissa Mbugua and her children, Anthony, Janvie, Neliyana, Syairdra, Yezick, Hector and Zarmari, his stepdaughter, Stephanie Quinones, her husband, Anthony and their children, Isiah, Jaden and Mariana, his stepson, Dennis Joseph Gagnon, Jr., his wife, Xiomara and their children, Xavier and Brody, his children, Jennifer Rutledge, Blythe Rutledge and Zackary Rutledge and his grandchildren, Alexis, Papi and Bebo, his sister in law, Jeannie Coleman and her late husband, Robert "Rick", and also their children, Rob, Savannah, Melissa and Randy.
He is also survived by his “Stonewall Friends” including his best friends, John Anderson, James “Sammy” Zirkle and Terry Stone.
You are invited to his calling hours from 2 until 5 p.m. and his funeral service at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 9 at the MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816. Please visit www.McDonoughFuneralHome.com to send the family your condolences at any time.
For those who can not attend, the service will be streamed for live viewing or for viewing after the service is completed at: Service Streaming Link
On behalf of the family, you are invited to join them at the US Bunting Club, 449 Boylston Street, Lowell, MA 01852, the following day, Sunday April 10, between 12:00 to 4:00 PM for a celebration of life gathering for Jim.