Fred Donovan Rutledge, Sr., 89, died on Friday, August 3 at Saint Francis Hospital in Memphis following a brief illness.  He was born on June 12, 1929 to Fred Elgin Rutledge and Sarah Frances Moore Rutledge of Collierville, TN.

Fred was preceded in death by his beloved wife Edith, son Ronnie Rutledge, brother Francis Leland "Red" Rutledge, and sister Helen Corrine "Connie" Rutledge Riddick.

He is survived by his sons Fred Donovan Rutledge, Jr. (Kathleen) and Michael Rutledge (Carolyn), daughter Gail Jaco of Olive Branch, granddaughter Elizabeth Anne Rutledge, grandsons Scott Donovan Rutledge and Michael Rutledge, Jr., great grandson Joshua Chrestman, brother Maurice Elgin Rutledge of Greenwood, IN, sister Gloria Rutledge Mackey of Piperton, TN, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Fred served in the U.S. Navy from 1947 to 1950 when he returned to the Memphis area where he worked in construction as paint supervisor.  Because he believed that, "you rust out before you wear out," he stayed active and continued working well into his eighties.  He loved his family, spoiling grandchildren, and visiting with his friends over a good cup of coffee.

A visitation will be from 5-7pm Tuesday, August 7, 2018 and a Funeral Service will be held at Forest Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park East on Wednesday, August 8 at 10 am.  There will be a private committal service at Forest Hill South Memorial Park.