Gil Dean Rutherford

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Mr. Gil Dean Rutherford was born to James M. and Eunice I. Rutherford on May 23, 1956, in Peoria, Illinois. He was the third of five children born to this union. His father preceded him in death.

Gil began his education at McKinley Elementary School in Peoria, IL continuing to graduate from Richwoods High School.  He furthered his education at Southern IL University in Carbondale, IL graduating in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering.  He later began graduate school at Washington University in St Louis, MO with an emphasis in International Business.  During his undergraduate university experience, Gil became a man of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated in the Spring of 1981 — Beta Eta Chapter and later went on to achieve life membership and become a member of Mu Xi Lambda Chapter in Southern CA.  In the early years of his adulthood, Gil became a member of Henry Brown Lodge No. 22 Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons in Peoria IL.  He sustained his membership there throughout the years and became a Master Mason.

Upon graduating from SIU-C, Gil was excited to take on his first aerospace assignment as an Industrial Engineer at McDonald Douglas in St. Louis, MO.  Throughout his aerospace tenure, he was fortunate to receive future assignments with Northrup and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.  Later, he went on to spend several years traveling internationally and domestically, working in robotics for PRI Automation and Karcher. After returning to the states, he took on consulting assignments that granted him the opportunity to work on projects for Boeing and NASA as he had a rich fondness for airplanes and aerospace science in general.

In the spring of 1986, Gil met his college sweetheart – Kim. After dating for five years, they became husband and wife on April 13, 1991.  In 2020 they celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary. Born to this union were two sons; Gil Rutherford II and Myles Rutherford. Prior to his marriage, Gil had a daughter; Anik Rutherford.

Gil was a God-fearing man and lived life to the fullest.  He loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed sports as well as traveling both for leisure and business and listening to the word of God in whatever form it came.  He also enjoyed philanthropic work and supported organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House, Boy Scouts of America, Santiago High School AF-JROTC and countless other causes both locally and internationally.  Surprisingly, Gil loved to cook!  He spent many weekends with his friend and fraternity brother, Stephan Franklin of Simply Marvelous BBQ, entering and winning many BBQ contests throughout Southern CA.

Gil heard the call from God and departed this life on May 11, 2020. He leaves to cherish his memories his mother, Eunice Rutherford; his wife, Kim Rutherford; his sons, Gil Rutherford II and Myles Rutherford; his daughter, Anik Rutherford-Cole (Wayne); his grandchildren, Nicholas Rutherford and Collin Cole; his brothers, James Rutherford and Bernie Rutherford; his sisters, Sherie Rutherford and Vanessa Rutherford-Turner (Nate); mother-in-law, Aretha Perry; sister-in-law Pamela Perry and God-children Britney Bruce, Louis “Chip” Rodriguez and Jennifer Rodriguez and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Gil Dean Rutherford was deeply loved and will truly be missed by family, the Brotherhood of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, the Prince Hall Masons, friends and colleagues.