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Jerry G. Rutledge

1944 - 2025

Jerry G. Rutledge obituary, 1944-2025, Colorado Springs, CO

BORN

1944

DIED

2025

Jerry Rutledge Obituary

Rutledge
Jerry G.
Rutledge
August 1, 1944
January 9, 2025

With great sadness, we share that our beloved husband, father, and friend Jerry G. Rutledge passed from this life and into the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. After a horrendous fall he had surgery for a brain bleed culminating in several serious complications causing his passing peacefully in the early morning of January 9, 2025.
Jerry was an extraordinary person who led an extraordinary life. He was born August 1. 1944 to Wynne and Bill Rutledge in Moberly, Missouri. He went through school and graduated from Moberly High School where he played football, basketball, and ran track. His summers and free time were spent on family farms on his beloved John Deere tractor, it was in his blood and till his end-of-life he loved being on the ranch happily on his John Deere.
He graduated from the University of Colorado which became a huge part of his life. He loved the University, football, basketball, and his fraternity where he met many who became lifelong friends. He was the ultimate Buff supporter and fan. It was in Boulder where he became friends with and worked for Joe Bourland's Regiment men's clothing store. He and Joe, who was his mentor, opened a Regiment in Colorado Springs which became his life work.
After buying out Joe he changed the store's name to Rutledge's. As the store grew, he bought the Perkins and Shearer building where it remains today selling top-of-the line and custom clothing, boots, and shoes.
He became a respected entrepreneur and businessman. Jerry continued his love of the University of Colorado and became a regent of that school with includes UCCS, CU Denver, and UCHealth. He was a part of the Board that made many positive changes among them moving the University of Colorado Hospital to Aurora where it is a renowned institution. He also served on the UCHealth board for 8 years.
Jerry was on several other boards and a member of several clubs over the years where he met many friends playing tennis and socializing, solving problems, and enjoying life. All his friends would agree he didn't have customers who didn't become friends. He loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest. Those who were close to him knew the many people young and old whose lives he made better in different ways.
Jerry was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and definitely a man of God. He was predeceased by his parents and brother Will Rutledge, survived by his wife Jan and son John as well as several family members who were loved by him. Jerry is also survived by so many beloved, treasured friends too many to mention but like family.
He will be missed but remembered as a wonderful husband, father, and the kind, hard-working, generous gentleman that he was.
The family would like to thank Encompass Health for the staff's kindness and care in Jerry's last days. We are so thankful for them.
We are accepting any donations to Jerry's memory to the Jerry Rutledge University of Colorado Football Scholarship.
Checks in the name of the "Jerry Rutledge University of Colorado Football Scholarship" may be mailed to:
CU Buff Club
2150 Stadium Dr
Boulder CO, 80309
Services will be held on January 24th at 11:30AM at:
First Presbyterian Church
219 E Bijou St
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette from Jan. 17 to Jan. 19, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Jerry Rutledge

Not sure what to say?





Randall J. Björk, M.D.

May 24, 2025

I was saddened to find out about Jerry´s passing today when I went in the store today to ask him to lunch, as was our tradition when I came to town.

Deborah Renneberger

February 2, 2025

Dear Jan, Please accept my sincerest condolences. I have you in my prayers. I am so sorry for your loss.
Jerry was such a great guy, very kind impeccable taste, a true gentleman.....You were perfect for each other.
The good Lord wrapped his loving arms around Jerry and took him home free of pain. I send lots of prayers and many big hugs to you and your family.

Al Sikes

February 1, 2025

Jan,
Marty and I are sorry sorry and sad we got to know Jerry only late in his life. God´s Speed. Love, Marty and Al

Larry Heitz

January 27, 2025

Always great to deal with Jerry at his store....Easy to see how much he loved what he was doing!!!

Anna Lou Harmes

January 27, 2025

We shared many happy times on the tennis court,
he was a wonderful player.
He was a good friend and will be sorely missed.

Karen and David Schott

January 24, 2025

Dear Jan and John,
I am so sorry for your loss. Jerry was an incredible person, one who always supported and encouraged me in my role as Director of Tennis at The Broadmoor. He was beloved by our members, was a beautiful tennis player and sportsman. He was a true gentleman, a man of faith, a style icon and someone we will miss dearly.

Michael Grage

January 24, 2025

Jan and John, I´m sorry for your loss. Jerry was such an instrumental person in my life-from my junior high days working in retail clothing stores-he helped me learn about clothes and style. But he was also the kindest man with an always-ready smile and handshake. Later, in graduate school in Boulder, I would get to see Jerry and Jan at football games; he was always so encouraging.
My last memory of him was at the store, introducing him to my partner, Kevin. He was as gracious in meeting him as he had always been to me in my life. Character endures. I will miss him but I am so grateful for a lifetime of friendship with him.
Michael Grage

Monika Siebert

January 24, 2025

You will truly be missed. A institution in a very transitional town.
On my rare visits there, I could always count on Jerry still being there, in my former work place when it was Perkins Shearer. Always friendly,
always had time to visit and chat and always forward thinking.
He was my last connection with Colorado Springs, which I left mid 80s being transfered by Perkins Shearer to new Polo Stores in Southern CA.
When he heard by a mutual client how homesick I was, he personally
stopped by on a trip to Southern Ca. to offer me a job to come back to
Colorado Springs. This is the caring person he was. One of a kind.
Will always be remembered. I am very sad.

Morning Stars Arrangement

- Your friends at Paralel

Sent Flowers

Brian Stark

January 22, 2025

Jerry had a great style and I enjoyed many suits from Rutledge's over the years. You will be missed.

Kari & Bob Condie

January 22, 2025

God Bless Jerry.
When we first moved to COS, we visited the Rutledge store and Jerry quickly became a friend.
He was probably the first person we met in COS and he made us feel welcome and that we had joined a wonderful community. Jerry's smile and warm spirit always brightened any room. Jerry will surely be missed in a community that loved and adored him. Condolences to the Rutledge family.

Tom Courtney

January 21, 2025

Remember Jerry standing in front of his shop on the S.E. corner of Tejon & Pikes Peak, always talking to anyone that would take the time to stop. A great personality & smile and a man who could stand out doors on a hot summer day and not a wrinkle on his clothing could be seen. One of my sons loved the attention Jerry gave him, don't think he ever made a trip back to the Springs with out stopping to visit Jerry & do some shopping.

Eco-Friendly Memorial Trees

Ken, Tracy and Delaney Asbury

Planted Trees

Jim Davis

January 18, 2025

Jerry had a magical smile when he greeted you - you just felt better being around him and you looked better because you usually ended up with a lot of expensive clothes .... Loved the guy Jim Davis

Leslie Bois

January 17, 2025

Jan, I thought about you today as you traverse this most difficult time with the passing of your beloved husband; thus from a friend from long ago horse show days riding Juan and Red, I wish God's Peace and loving Comfort to surround you and to give you strength. May God be with you and John, Leslie Pearce Bois

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Richard and Jeannine Tegtmeier

Planted Trees

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Memorial Events
for Jerry Rutledge

Jan

24

Service

11:30 a.m.

First Presbyterian Church

219 E Bijou St., Colorado Springs, CO

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