Don Rutherford
Don Rutherford
Amarillo, Texas
November 1, 1935 - May 26, 2012
Don Rutherford, 76, of Amarillo, Texas, passed away May 26, 2012.
Don was born Nov. 1, 1935, in Hedley, Texas, to William Lee and Lorene Horn Rutherford. He graduated in 1955 from Claude High School.
Don farmed and ranched in the panhandle area throughout his life. He also was involved in the cattle industry throughout seven states. Don was an avid supporter of Armstrong County youths and was honored with the Future Farmers of America Adult Leadership award. Throughout the years, he volunteered his time and energies on the board of directors, as a trustee and was in leadership for the Tri-State High School Rodeo Association as well as the Armstrong County 4-H Horse Club. Don was instrumental in the renovation of the Armstrong County Rodeo Arena in 1972, and in that same year, he founded the Armstrong County Queen’s contest, which is still active today. He attended Grace Community Fellowship Church of Claude.
Don lived and ranched in Steamboat Springs in the 1980s and ’90s.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and three brothers.
Survivors include three daughters, Paula Bagwell and husband, Ross, of Amarillo, Janet Uptergrove and husband, Jimmy, of Claude, and Rene’e Weitz and husband, Doyle, of London, Texas. He was a revered “Papa” to his grandchildren, Ty Bagwell, of Amarillo, Teal and Shayla Bagwell, of Houston, Cole Cleveland, of Roswell, N.M., Jynna Harris and husband, Blaine, of Amarillo, Chet and Chainey Weitz, of London, Texas, and new great-grandson Kason Lane Harris. He also is survived by two brothers, Billy and wife, Bonita, and Paul Rutherford and wife, Janice, all of Claude; and a sister, Ann Rutherford Homer and husband, Bill, of Groom.
Memorial donations may be made to the Armstrong County Cemetery Association; to the Claude Fire Department; or to the West Texas Rodeo Association Don Rutherford Memorial Fund, 6705 Chalk River Drive, Ft. Worth, Texas 76179.
Services were held May 30, 2012, at the Boxwell Chapel in Amarillo with Jess Little and Glen Walton officiating. Burial was in Claude Cemetery. Sign the online guest book at www.boxwellbrothers.com.
