Mark Allen Rutledge

Mark was born in College Station, TX to Carl Allen Rutledge and Janis Lyn Wigley on December 26, 1952. He went to high school at James Madison High School. Mark served in the Navy as a Corpsman and was awarded National Defense Service Medal and a Meritorious Unit Commendation. Most of his service on active duty was at Oakland Naval Hospital, CA. Since the Navy he has had a plethora of jobs, retiring as a underground cable splicing technician for Verizon where he worked for over 20 years.

Mark lived a life that lesser men would have died from decades ago. He was raised through a life of hard knocks but always persevered. His family affectionately called him “Bubba” or “Uncle Mark.” As a selfless man, his friends called him their brother. Professions: Ariel skier, inappropriate jokester, splicing technician, hunter, taser enthusiast, collector, self taught mathematician, collector, guitarist, cribbage enthusiast, life long member of the Fagowee ski club, king of the two finger push-up, expert at Cardinal Puff, and an unbelievable hand stand on a bongo board. He is now truly the man, the myth, the legend. He will be missed greatly by all.

Mark leaves five siblings behind and joins his mother, father, and brother, Dana Carlton Rutledge, in heaven.

Mark is survived by siblings, Paula L.R. Hood Smith, Lisa & Jeff Thomas, John & Patty Rutledge, Jennifer & William Schrantz, Deborah & John Nash, 13 nieces and nephews, as well as 4 great nephews. Not to be forgotten, Mark is leaving behind 5 best friends (brothers), Bobbi Bonifant, Steve Vilsac, John Micheal Mostow, Keith Diebert, and Roger E. Ebeling.

A Graveside service with Navy honors will be held at National Memorial Park 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042 on Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 1pm.

For those that would like to attend virtually, a Facebook LiveStream of the services will begin at 1pm. To join, please go to Facebook and follow our Facebook page for notifications when the service begins:

https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/Funeral-Service---Cemetery/National-Funeral-Home-National-Memorial-Park-115824169103753/

Sanctum

by Beulah B. Malkin

I built a tiny garden

In a corner of my heart

I kept it just for lovely things

And bade all else depart

And ever was there music

And flowers blossomed fair;

And never was it perfect

Until you entered there