John Paul Rutter

Spartanburg, SC- John Paul Rutter, Jr., 89, died Thursday, March 9, 2023 at the Upstate Community Hospice House in Landrum, SC.

Jack was born in Providence, Rhode Island on October 2, 1933 to the late John Paul Rutter, Sr. and Elisabeth Phillips Rutter. He graduated from Carteret School for Boys in New Jersey and Colgate University in New York and was in the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He then joined the US Airforce flying B-47 bombers. Jack worked at Trust Company of Georgia and Danville Industries before he established a recruitment firm and then retired here in Spartanburg. In the early years, Jack was a volunteer in the SC Lions Club, coached youth sports, and helped with the Department of Juvenile Justice, Cowpens National Battlefield, the Advent kitchen, the Advent Shoppe, The Atlanta Jazz Party, and The Spartanburg Soup Kitchen.

He was a member and was very active in the Episcopal Church of the Advent as a chalice bearer and a lay reader.

He married Ellen Stafford Smith in 1980 and they spent 42 years enjoying each other, music, theatre, and traveling by car, plane, and boat.

Jack is survived by his children, Dr. John Paul Rutter, III, of Goldsboro, NC, Harrison R. Rutter (Catherine) of Winston Salem, NC, and Dr. Virginia E. Rutter of Washington, DC; stepsons, Michael O. Smith and C. David Smith (Margaret) of Spartanburg, SC.

He leaves behind grandchildren, Pitt Rutter (Emilee) of Raleigh, NC, Jacob Rutter of Charlotte, NC, Wesley Bailey (Chasity) of Winston Salem, NC, Stafford K. Smith (Samantha) of Enoree, SC, and Genevieve E. Smith of Greensboro, NC. He also has eight great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Jack was predeceased by a son, Lt. Frank Pittman Rutter.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 25^th, 3:00PM at The Episcopal Church of the Advent. The inurnment will be held in the Cleveland Bell Tower Columbarium. A reception will follow in the Parish and Community Life Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Episcopal Church of the Advent, 141 Advent Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302 or the charity of one’s choice.