John Edwards Rutland, Jr. gained his angel wings on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Introduced to the world on December 22, 1943, in Memphis, Tennessee, John seemed born to be a United Methodist pastor, like his daddy, Reverend John Rutland, Sr. But he made his own name through the many relationships he forged—visiting them at their home, bedside, or in his office, sharing in his own voice the prevenient grace of Jesus.

John had a hunger for knowledge of the grace-filled Gospel, the one he called “good news for a reason”. It was a Gospel that leaned on tolerance as the window to God, one he kept open. He’d passionately defend the poor in his narratives, speak highly of the low, and proudly downplay the powerful. He thought that mirrored Jesus’ words best. The red letters in the bible were his favorite. It’s not that he wouldn’t delve into the books of the bible other than Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. He would. He learned plenty about them in his studies at Northwestern, the former Birmingham Southern University, Duke Divinity, and the University of Glasgow. But he saw the bible full of fascinating stories meant to convey a deeper message, whether they “literally happened or not”. And if they didn’t happen precisely how they were told, even through various translations, according to him, it did not diminish their power a bit.

He lived his calling through 50+ years of ministry in the North Alabama conference. Armed with a dry wit and a comfortable pair of shoes, he’d show up on porches like fond family in Florence, Carrollton, Guin, Anniston, Attala, Birmingham, Haleyville, Huffman, Decatur, as well as the mountains of Western North Carolina when he retired. Because he was that guy. He was the preacher who thought the good news wasn’t communicated well enough if it wasn’t shared on decades-old, upholstered couches. And if a dog was there, well, that’d be alright.

John loved traveling. To be immersed or flat-out lost in a land he knew nothing about was at times where he felt most at-home. He championed group tour visits to places like the Holy Land, Russia, Scandinavia, and Western United States. Dogs would gravitate to him there too, and he spoke all those dogs’ languages. He liked traveling so much he backpacked/hitchhiked through Europe when he was in college. He loved new experiences. It might’ve been through these experiences that he gained such an ability to find the good in all different types, and to keep his mind open, and on the move.

Other countries weren’t the only places that held his attention. The Southeast United States had Alabama football, after all. Jr. could talk for hours about players who could run through you, and teams who “have a chance to go far”. He saw taking his sons, Jeremy and Jarrett, to games at Legion Field, and Bryant-Denny, as deeply relational. He liked football. But he loved the idea of having something to do with his boys. And he hollered joyfully with them, with his wife, Ginger, quilting, at the tv while Van Tiffin kicked a 52 yarder to beat Auburn in 1985.

The actual sport was more nerve-racking than just interacting in its orbit. Later on, he developed a habit of not watching the games on tv. His emotions simply couldn’t deal with watching the team he wanted so desperately to win go for it on 4th and 2, from their own 30-yard line. This anxiety showed too at every single soccer, baseball, basketball game, or swim meet his boys ever had: where he’d pace the sideline and either give the ref a good “talkin’ to” or give his sons advice, or valuable intel regarding the opposing side. He was transparently clear on where his loyalties lay.

He and his wife of 57 years, Virginia “Ginger” Williams Rutland married on August 9, 1968, in Memorial church in Thomasville, NC. Ginger’s father was the pastor. Harley Williams walked her down the aisle, then came around the altar to conduct their wedding. Harley was Methodist. That was an intentional pattern in John’s life.

John, a loving family man, husband, father, “Bop”, and titan of all the kind of theology you’d expect to see from a church that places its emphasis firmly on those red letters, is survived by his wife Ginger, of Lake Junaluska, NC, sons Jeremy Edward Rutland (Kristee) of Huntsville, AL, and Jarrett Rutland (Natalie) of Asheville, NC, grandchildren Christopher Whitworth, Isaac Carter Rutland, and Brooklyn Grace Rutland, sister Jan Rutland Backer (Steve) of Meridianville, AL, sister-in-law MaRie Paschal (Jim) of Asheville, NC, nieces and nephews Alan Backer (Kelly) Julie Backer Jerles (Nick), Jennifer Paschal (Monica), Heather Paschal Land (David), great-nieces and great-nephews Owen, Jack, Isla, Dean, Harper, and Blakely.

His is preceded in death by parents: John Edwards Rutland, and Mary McCain Rutland, and parents-in-law: Harley “Daddy Pop” Williams, and Ethel “Mammy” Williams.

Service details: Friday, April 10, 2pm at First Methodist Church in Waynesville, NC, with Pastor Keith Turman officiating, along with Rob Blackburn, and Sherill Clontz.

John will be missed. John will never be forgotten. John’s legacy will live on in the eyes and stories of his family, and through the people’s lives he touched: which were innumerable.

Special thank you to the wonderful caregivers at Four Seasons Hospice, Autumn Care, and Haywood Regional Medical Center. Instead of flowers, the family suggests that if you feel led to give: here are organizations that they’d like to uplift—Four Seasons Hospice Waynesville, NC, First United Methodist Church, Waynesville, NC (The Next Chapter, Congregational Care, The Friendship House).

The care of Mr. Rutland has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville