Henry T. Rutland, Jr.

Henry T. "Tom" Rutland, Jr., age 87, of Decatur passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2009. He was born December 15, 1921 in Ringgold, GA to Henry Thomas Rutland, Sr. and Irene Hendry. They moved to Decatur where he attended elementary school and graduated from Decatur High School in 1940. Tom then enlisted in the US Army to serve his country proudly during WWII. He flew 46 supply air missions from Australia to New Guinea for the Army Air Force. Among other awards, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars and Air Medal. He returned home and met Ludie Parker and they married. He was a charter member of North Decatur United Methodist Church. For 25 years, he served as Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 131 where he was a mentor and role model to many scouts. For 16 years, he managed Little League Baseball at Glenlake Park in Decatur, GA. He loved his community and also proudly served for over 30 years as a founding member of the Laurel Ridge Lions Club. Tom was preceded in death August 27, 2009 by his loving wife of 62 years. He is survived by sons, Henry Thomas Rutland, III of Snellville, James Parker Rutland of Monroe, Blake Rutland of Lilburn; daughters, Mary Yarter of Snellville, Charlene Davis of Monroe; sister, Irene Davis of Crystal River, FL; sisters-in-law, Lola Parker, Helen Nickison and Florence Low; 15 grandchildren; many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held in the chapel of A. S. Turner & Sons at 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 9th, Rev. Lee Fullerton officiating. Interment Melwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at A. S. Turner & Sons .