Obituary
Guest Book
1928
2015
GENE RICHARD RUTHERFORD
October 24, 1928 – September 17, 2015
Born in Kansas on October 24, 1928 to Earnest and Alta Rutherford, Gene passed away on September 17, 2015 at home in Bakersfield with his wife and children by his bedside. Gene lost his mother at an early age and spent his childhood in rural Kansas, where his father traveled as a school teacher in one-room schoolhouses. In 1940, father and son relocated to California to seek employment in steel factories. Gene enlisted in the Navy at 17 years old after his father passed away, completing his service in 1949. Returning to California with his best buddy, Glen Stout, they embarked on brief, but illustrious, careers as jalopy racers until they met two cute South Gate High School sisters who civilized them and put a stop to their death-defying ways. Gene married Bonita Mae Pembrook in 1952, purchased a home in Norwalk, and became a machinist in the booming aerospace industry. As their family grew, Gene promoted through the ranks, ultimately retiring as the President of Tolo, Inc., a defense and aerospace contractor in Irvine, California. A failure at retirement, Gene accepted employment at Northrup for five years in Palmdale and retired again at age 68. Bored at age 71, he went to work for the 2000 U.S. Census, where he used a computer for the first time. As evidence of his determination and fierce intelligence, at 81 years old, Gene was a supervisor in Kern County for the 2010 Census, providing on-line training and technical support for census workers throughout the region.
Gene is survived by his wife, Barbara, daughter, Karen Ramirez, and son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Lynda Rutherford, along with grandchildren Lyndsy (Christian) Rodgers, Matthew Ramirez, Taylor Ramirez, Bryanne Rutherford, and Kyle Ramirez. Gene also delighted in his great-grandsons Brody Rutherford and Solomon Rodgers. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Bonita Rutherford, a son, Stephen Earnest, and a daughter, Terry Marie.
With his second marriage to Barbara (Westerfeld) Rutherford, Gene's family grew to include her children, David (Sue) Westerfeld and Tammy (Bill) Reynolds of Bakersfield. He was also "Grandpa Gene" to Eric (Tara) Westerfeld, Travis (Lauren) Westerfeld, Nate Westerfeld, Jason Westerfeld, Chase Reynolds, Summer (Bryan) Reynolds-Turnbow, Tyler (Terri) Reynolds, Kara Reynolds, Parker Reynolds, and Alex Reynolds, as well as great-grandpa to Kieren and Maleah Reynolds, Noah Turnbow, and Taylor and Maisie Westerfeld.
There will be an empty seat on Friday mornings at Pappy's Coffee Shop where Gene enjoyed his weekly breakfast with his Bakersfield buddies. He also leaves behind his loyal dog and constant companion, Bailey, who entertained him, kept his feet warm, and watched over him faithfully until he was safely home in the arms of his Heavenly Father.
Gene will be laid to rest with military honors at Bakersfield National Cemetery on Monday, October 5 at 10:00 a.m. For condolences or information regarding services, please visit http://centurian-memorial-society.tributes.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Gene Rutherford at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/generutherford.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
October 1, 2016
Charley Abell
Gene was my boss during my time at Tolo. I sure admired him for his wit and great sense of humor, his wisdom and insight always amazed me. Gene and Jim Lockshaw were a great team, they were hands down the best men I ever worked for in my life. You'll be missed Gene, my prayers and thoughts to your family.
October 4, 2015
Sarah Cisneros
Gene will be missed at Pappys coffee shop. It was always a pleasure to be his waitress on Fridays. The group will not be the same, he was a great and nice man. Quiet at times but always a joy to have on Fridays. I'm glad I got to know him throughout the years, he'll be missed at paps.
September 21, 2015
Lyndsy Rodgers
September 21, 2015
Lyndsy Rodgers
September 21, 2015
Lyndsy Rodgers
September 21, 2015
Lyndsy Rodgers
September 21, 2015
September 21, 2015
September 21, 2015
Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more