Keith Nicholas Rutter Jr.

He was born in Pittsburgh, PA on March 26, 1928 as the 2nd child and only son to Keith N. Rutter, Sr. and Charlotte Fleming Rutter.

He was married to Them Pham Rutter. on April 21, 1967.

Keith N. Rutter, Jr. lived a long and full life. His unique background includes serving in (2) U.S. military branches and (3) major conflicts including World War II, The Korean War, and The Vietnam War.

His military service career began at age 17 (in 1945) when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as 3rd Class Petty Officer near the conclusion of World War II. After being honorably discharged, he attended St. Francis College and then the University of Pittsburgh where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts in 1952. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served a tour during the Korean War (1952-1953) and multiple tours (1966, 1968) during the Vietnam War. It was during his first tour of duty when he met and ultimately married his wife, Them. They built a family in the U.S. where they raised (4) children together while continuing his at military career at multiple bases including Ft. Knox, KY; Ft. Dix, NJ; Schofield Barracks, HI; and Ft. Polk, LA. In 1978, he retired from the military and settled in DeRidder, LA where he and his wife raised their family, made many life-long friends, and watched their (4) children successfully graduate college and launch their careers. In 1993, Keith and his wife relocated to Florida to be closer to their grandchildren. Initially relocating to Deltona, they ultimately settled in Jacksonville, Florida where they enjoyed living near their (4) adult children and (3) grandchildren.

Keith and his wife, Them, were devout Catholics and attended both Assumption Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Florida and St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

In addition to his spending time with his family; he had a passion for discussing history, debating politics, and following college and professional sports (especially his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers and Pitt Panthers).

He is preceded in death by his wife, Them Pham Rutter, who passed earlier this year on March 01, 2023. He is survived by their eldest daughter, Xuan Rutter Breaux (Jeffrey Breaux); their eldest son, Chung Rutter (Karen Henry Rutter); their youngest daughter, Charlotte Rutter Prom Ashby (Conrad Ashby); and their youngest son, Thomas Rutter. Their grandchildren include Ryan Breaux, Jordan Cavatto-Rutter (Vincent Cavatto-Rutter), and James Rutter.

A Graveside service will be held on January 12th, 2024 at 1:00pm

at the Jacksonville National Cemetery Lane # 2,

4083 Lannie Road Jacksonville, Florida.

A Celebration of Life will be planned for a future date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations to

Community Hospice and/or The American Cancer Society.