Gerald Verne Rutland

05/06/1942 - 04/17/2025

Born on May 6, 1942, the second son of Lily Laverne and Fred Wilson Rutland of Tuscumbia, Alabama, Gerald grew up in Red Rock, Alabama, near Cherokee. Gerald graduated from Cherokee Vocational High School with the class of 1960. He enrolled at Auburn, lived in one of the boarding houses, and worked at the Women's Dining Hall. He was always looking for adventure and heard of a new program; he applied, was accepted, and in January of 1963 went to Washington D.C. as a trainee for the first group of Peace Corp volunteers who would work in Brazil. The objective of his Peace Corps mission was development of rural youth programs and their leadership. He and 42 volunteers from all over the United States, had the experience of living two years in various locales of Brazil. His time spent there helped shape his world view and his values. His co-volunteers appropriately called him "Alabama", and they remained close, dear friends for the rest of his life. He came home from Brazil, married Elaine Plunkett, and shortly thereafter received his draft notice. He joined the U.S. Army and after OCS he served in the Corps of Engineers in Vietnam. His first assignment in Vietnam was to help build a special forces camp on the Cambodian border. After his initial astonishment that his company was living in "holes in the ground", proudly claimed after surviving the first night's strafing, that he had dug the best hole in the camp. Three years, nine months, and 27 days after induction, Gerald came back to Auburn where he finished school, became a parent and went to work.

He worked for the Farmer's Home Administration working there until retirement. He spent his career there fulfilling the agency's mission of "eliminating rural poverty". Always a farm boy at heart, he for many years along with his full-time job raised beef cattle as a "hobby". This kept him close to the lifestyle he loved including horses, newborn calves, Blue Heeler dogs, time spent tending hay fields and tinkering, sometimes successfully, with tractors and farm machinery.

Gerald was a great dad, proud of his family! He loved fishing and any outside activity with Amy and Geoffrey. He cherished any opportunity for a trip home to Red Rock to visit Momma, Daddy, his brothers and their families. There, the food was always plentiful, delicious, the conversation lively and enlightening; and familial bonds always re-enforced. He was a member of the Auburn Church of Christ and a firm believer who lived according to his principles.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Laverne and Fred, and his younger brother, Warren. Gerald is survived by his wife of 59 years, Elaine; his beloved children, Amy and husband Jeremy and Geoffrey and wife Lindsay; his beautiful, smart grandchildren, Bryant, Tucker, Reece, Addie and Mae. His "big brother", Ralph; his sisters-in-law, Veda and Patrica; his sister-in-law, Anita and husband Pat; his brother-in-law Paul and wife Kuniko; and three nieces and six nephews.

Gerald passed away peacefully on April 17, 2025, and a private burial service is planned at the Alabama National Cemetery on April 23, 2025.

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home is assisting the family with all arrangements.