John (Jack) was born in Hawarden, Iowa on December 14, 1930, to William J. and Grace Ruttan. He had an older brother, William J. Ruttan, Jr. John entered the Air Force in 1956 as a Navigator – Bombardier. While stationed in Houston, Texas, he met the love of his life, Irene Ferrer. They were married on June 22, 1957. They were married for 62 years before Irene passed away in 2019. After three years as a Navigator, John was released from active duty and attended law school in Iowa. He earned his Juris Doctorate and passed the Iowa Bar. In 1960, he went back into the Air Force, and into the Judge Advocate General Corps. He was in the Air Force for 28 years and earned 5 more bars – California, Florida, Texas, United States Court of Military Appeals and the Western District of Texas. While in the military he also had a tour in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star Medal and the Vietnamese Honor Medal (First Class). After retiring from the military, he became a Bankruptcy Attorney here in San Antonio and then retired again in 2005.
He was an amazing man who loved his family and his pets. He was adventurous (went hunting in the Bob Marshall wilderness) and loved to travel. He loved music and had several different instruments he learned to play. His faith was very important to him, and he would say three rosaries a day and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. He also loved to watch movies, especially westerns. John was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
John is survived by his daughter, Mitzi Ruttan Leatherland and her husband Selby Anderson. His daughter, Michelle Ruttan Weekley, her husband, Deacon Carl Weekley and their daughter, Jennifer Weekley Almendarez and her husband, Chris Almendarez. His son, John Ruttan II, his daughter Summer Janssen, her husband Forrest Janssen, and their daughter, Parker Janssen, and his son, 2d Lt John Austin Ruttan. And his niece Myrna Samperi Sanders, and her husband, David.
Funeral Arrangements are Rosary at Porter Loring 2102 N. Loop 1604 E, San Antonio at 7 pm on Monday, May 4th. Friends are welcome at 6:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, May 5th at 9:30 am at St. Matthew Catholic Church 10703 Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio. Graveside will be at Ft. Sam National Cemetery at 11:15 am, and a reception will be at 1:00 pm at the St. Matthew Catholic Church Parish Hall.
