Thomas Edwin (Ed) Rutledge, 62

He was born in Campaign on Nov. 26, 1943, at his grandparents? home. He was drafted during the Vietnam War and served in the U.S. Army for 12 years. During his tour of duty, he was stationed in Fort Bragg, N.C., Germany and also in the Panama Canal area. While in service, he received the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He also was strongly involved in government services in the military, spending an additional eight years serving in the reserves.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Tommy and Beatrice Rutledge of Cleveland, and Marlin and Laura Hitchcock of McMinnville; his father, Thomas Eldridge Rutledge; two sisters, Susie Lee and Doris; and one infant brother, Samuel Aaron.

He is survived by his mother, Nelda Rutledge of Cleveland; two brothers, Doyle Rutledge and wife, Chum Won, and Harold Rutledge of Cleveland; sister, Pamela Seals and husband, Billy Seals, of Cleveland; three nieces, Ashley Seals, Joann Rutledge and Lee Rutledge of Cleveland; great-niece, Casey Johnson; and great-nephew Brandon Johnson of Cleveland.

Burial will be held at 1 p.m., July 18 at National Veterans Cemetery in Chattanooga.

Southern Standard

(McMinnville, Tenn.) July 16, 2006