Jack E. Rutledge

Jack Evans Rutledge, 90, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Jack was born to Donald Franklin Rutledge and Viola Matilda Shane Rutledge on March 21, 1936, at their farm outside of Crystal City, Texas. His mother was an educator, and his father was a farmer and rancher. Jack was the third of four children growing up and working alongside their parents on the farm, raising bees and livestock. Jack spent his school years participating in athletics and hunting, and his summers working on a ranch in Colorado and with a well-drilling business in Crystal City. These experiences were instrumental in providing the foundation of his life: faith, family, hard work, and love of the outdoors.

Following his graduation from Crystal City High School in 1954, Jack earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in math from the University of Corpus Christi (now Texas A&M University Corpus Christi) in 1959. Before completing his degree, Jack served one year in the United States Army.

Jack coached athletics and taught math at Crystal City and La Pryor High Schools. After his teaching career, he pursued full-time farming and ranching in Zavala County. Over the years, Jack also served his community as a board member for the La Pryor Independent School District, the Winter Garden Groundwater Conservation District, and the Zavala County Appraisal District.

Jack was generous with his blessings; he and Jane opened their home to family and friends, with the highlight being the Annual Rutledge Boys Dove Hunt. In preparation, Jack planted sunflowers and called it the crop that “didn’t make any money”; however, he knew that it was priceless for his family and their friends to enjoy time together. Jack will be greatly missed at the upcoming 40th gathering.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Donald Franklin “Frank” Rutledge and wife Edwyna Crews Rutledge, his sister Ola Mae Rutledge Walker and husband William Walker, his sister Mary Jane “Myrt” Rutledge Fauver and husband Edwin Fauver. Jack is survived by his wife of 30 years, Jane Lunz Rutledge, son Mark Evans Rutledge and wife Laura of Driftwood, son Brent Edwin Rutledge and wife Sheri of Uvalde; grandchildren, Garrison Rutledge Long and husband John of Jourdanton; McCrae Rutledge and wife Natalie of Cypress; Victoria Rutledge and fiancé Asher Wade of Starkville, Mississippi; and Connor Rutledge of DeSoto; and great-granddaughters Evans Ruth Long and Ellison Grace Long. Along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Burial will be on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 9:30 AM at Sunset Hills Cemetery in La Pryor, followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church of Uvalde.

In honor of his life and legacy, gifts are appreciated to Uvalde Hospice Foundation, 100 Royal Lane, Uvalde, Texas, or to Kate Marmion Rides to Radiation, P.O. Box 900, Uvalde, Texas 78802.