Steve Rutherford

William Stephen “Steve” Rutherford, age 72, passed away surrounded by love, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, curiosity, devotion, and deep connection.

Born in Dallas, Steve was raised in the Lakewood neighborhood, where he grew up surrounded by friends, many of whom remained close throughout his life and will be present to celebrate him. He was the son of Barbara Rutherford and William Rutherford. Even though his given name was William Stephen Rutherford, he went by Steve, a name that reflected both independence and resilience from an early age. Raised by his mother and grandparents, Steve learned the values of hard work, loyalty and perseverance that guided him throughout his life.

Steve attended the University of North Texas, where he studied business and became a proud member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. The friendships he formed there endured for decades and were among the most meaningful relationships of his life.

An exceptionally kind and intelligent man, Steve possessed an encyclopedic mind and a deep love of learning. His knowledge of world history, especially the past century, was remarkable, spanning politics, automobiles, space exploration and music. He could recount historical events with astonishing detail and accuracy, and those lucky enough to talk with him often walked away having learned something new.

Professionally, Steve spent his career in medical sales, where the work was demanding but Steve excelled. He was a top performer, deeply knowledgeable, and unwaveringly dedicated to providing for his family, often remaining with companies for a decade or more at a time.

Cars were Steve’s lifelong passion. By the age of three, he could identify every vehicle on the road. As a young man, he spent countless hours behind the wheel of classic cars and motorcycles, a love that followed him throughout his life. He continued attending car shows and races with friends, eagerly sharing stories and history behind each model and brand. His daughter Danielle recounted most cherished memories of attending car shows with him, listening as he brought each vehicle to life through his stories.

Above all else, Steve was a devoted father. He poured his heart into raising his two daughters, creating meaningful memories and ensuring they always felt loved and protected. Summers were spent under the Texas sun at Lake Texoma, teaching waterskiing, flipping the girls off the tube, and laughing together. Camping trips with Indian Princesses became treasured experiences, filled with time outdoors and moments of connection.

Fiercely protective and endlessly proud, Steve taught his daughters to be smart, careful and confident. He wanted only the best for them and took immense pride in the women they have become.

Steve is survived by his daughters, Lauren Fordinal (Chris) and Danielle Rutherford-Ostrander (Logan); his grandchildren, Lucy, Adeline, and Asher; and his brother, Michael Rutherford.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff at UT Southwestern Medical Center for their compassion, dedication and exceptional care throughout Steve’s cancer journey.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11, at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home.

Steve will be remembered for his generosity, his intelligent mind, his love of cars and history, and most of all, for the unwavering love he gave to his family and friends. His presence will be deeply missed, but his stories, lessons and laughter will live on in the lives he touched.