Reverend Thomas (Preacher Tom) Rutan, age 72, went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, January 27, 2016.
Reverend Rutan was born September 18, 1943, in Buffalo, West Virginia, a son of the late Herman Cecil Rutan and Oma Christine Cobb Rutan.
He was a graduate of Richwood High School and Berkshire Christian College and served as a minister of The Gospel for the past 50 years.
Tom pastored churches in Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and South Carolina. He was currently serving Chesterfield Baptist Church as interim pastor.
Reverend Rutan was a member, former pastor, and Pastor Emeritus of Pine Grove Baptist Church. He was also a former Trustee of the South Carolina Baptist Ministry for the Aging, and diligently worked to raise financial support for Bethea Retirement Communtiy and the Martha Franks Retirement Center.
"Preacher Tom" was also a member and former moderator of the Chesterfield Baptist Association. Tom also had served as a school teacher and coach.
He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and training dogs and horses. Tom carried many young people on their first hunting and fishing trip.
Preacher Tom was a true servant of God and was a witness of God's love to everyone he met.
In addition to his parents, Rev. Rutan was also preceded in death by two brothers, Charles and Neil Rutan, and by a great grandson, C.J. Gillespie.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Rose Ann Shinkle Rutan of the home; two sons: Scott Rutan of Chesterfield, SC and Stephen (Sandi) Rutan of Myrtle Beach, SC; a brother, Randy (Lois) Rutan of Berkley Springs, WV; a sister, Marilyn Rutan (Jim) Taylor of Delaware, OH; also 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Chesterfield County Relay for Life, c/o Kathy Treadaway 275 Forest Road, Cheraw, SC 29520.
The funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Pine Grove Baptist Church, Chesterfield, SC.
Interment will follow in the Pine Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 P.M. Saturday, January 30, 2016 at Pine Grove Baptist Church, 293 Zoar Road, Chesterfield, SC 29709.
The Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home of Chesterfield, SC (www.mrcfuneralhome.com) is serving the Rutan Family.
