Joseph Kenneth Rutledge

Joseph Kenneth Rutledge, 86 of Sandia Park, New Mexico went home to the lord on Saturday, February 14, 2015. He was surrounded by his family and slipped away peacefully. Recent failing health brought him to California where he and his wife Ivena resided with their granddaughter Vanessa Rutledge Dooley and her husband Ronald Dooley and great grandson Ethan. He was born November 20, 1928, to the late Joseph Earl and Mary Hunt Rutledge. Joseph grew up in Bloomfield and Aztec, New Mexico. After graduating from high school, he served our country honorably in the United States Air Force. He worked for the Department of Defense and spent many months on the Johnson Island Atoll testing various missile systems. Joseph and his wife lived in Sandia Park for over fifty years and raised their four children there. He was a Scout Master for many years during the time his children were growing up. He enjoyed dancing and horseback riding and raised horses most of his life. He was a cowboy and outdoorsman who enjoyed camping. He loved to hike and ride his horses in the mountains around his home. He, enjoyed fresh water fishing and hunting. During his retirement years, he enjoyed making furniture and he handcrafted beautiful silver and turquoise jewelry. He found his creative side and took up painting and loved photographing his much loved scenic New Mexico. His family describes him as a strong, caring role model who lived a God centered life. He recently shared a few wise words with his grandson Levi, "Dying is the easy part living life is the hard part." He is survived by his wife Ivena Fisher Rutledge, sons, Michael Rutledge, Justin Rutledge and daughter Barbara Rieke, 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved son Richard Rutledge, brother Odis Rutledge, and sisters Zella Osborne, and Mazie Chapman. Services will be private.