James H. (Jim) Rutherford

James (Jim) Herschel Rutherford, 87, passed away at his home in Norman on January 27, 2023. Jim was born on September 18, 1935, to Herschel Orville Rutherford and Louise Carnes Rutherford in New Liberty, Oklahoma. He was born and lived his formative years amid the harsh deprivation of the Great Depression, the looming threat of war, and the global conflict of World War II. Jim once wrote that survival during this time “meant hard work and sacrifice, and I feel these are great habits.”

He spent his early years in and around New Liberty, before moving to Los Angeles, CA in 1941, where he attended first and second grade. Worry about potential Japanese attacks on the California coast ran high, and the education Jim received during this time was sporadic at best (many of his days were filled with picking up cans and collecting metal for salvage efforts). Jim often spoke about planting and tending to family Victory Gardens during this time as a food source.

His family returned to Oklahoma in 1944. Jim attended New Liberty schools through seventh grade. He loved the hard work and the rural life offered there. During his elementary school years, Jim picked cotton and worked with his family harvesting wheat. Jim often said his dad pushed him with “tough love” but that he “loved every minute of it. I always looked up to him and wanted to be just like him.”

In 1949 Jim’s family relocated to Norman. He attended University High School and graduated in 1954. Immediately upon graduation, Jim married Carolyn Greenshields, and together they raised their three children Debbie, Julie and Steve. Jim also took courses at the University of Oklahoma and worked there a few summers before joining his father in the family oil business. He took over company operations after his father passed away in 1964, and worked tirelessly to build Rutherford Oil Company into a prominent and successful gasoline wholesaler and gas station lessor in the Norman area. In 1988 Jim met Susan Amspacher of Norman. They married a year later and together shared 34 years of love, laughter, companionship and family.

Jim was an avid sports fan and was especially devoted to the OU Sooners. He absolutely loved OU football and he and Susan were strong supporters of the University of Oklahoma. Jim was also a voracious reader of biographies and history, and an automobile enthusiast. He owned and restored several classic cars -- including a prized Cadillac La Salle and a Mercedes Roadster. Jim also loved to travel! He delighted in taking Susan to places she’d never visited, and planned numerous wonderful trips for them.

“The best adventure of my life was (and is) watching my kids grow up,” he once wrote. “My greatest desire for me and my family – peace within!” Jim and Susan’s family and close friends enjoyed many wonderful, peaceful years together at their treasured lake home on Lake Texoma. Their grandchildren especially recall many summers of golf cart and boat rides, fireworks, fishing, cookouts on “sandy beach” and lake swimming. Jim and Susan loved hosting family and friends in their lovely home during holidays or other celebrations. The door was always open and loved ones were encouraged to stop by for a chat or to enjoy a delicious meal.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Terry Rutherford. Jim is survived by his devoted wife and loving companion of 34 years, Susan, and five children (Debbie Moon and husband Steve, Julie Blacksten, Steve Rutherford and wife Missy, Shannon Stultz and husband Rick, and Devyn Gardenhire and husband Damon) along with being “Papa” to 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous extended family members.

A cherished maxim from Vince Lombardi guided him: “I firmly believe that any man's finest hour -- his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear -- is that moment when he has to work his heart out in a good cause and he's exhausted on the field of battle, victorious.”

In lieu of donations to a specific charity, Susan asks that those wishing to honor his memory reach out with love and kindness to those close to you, as he always did for his own family.

Susan would like to acknowledge and thank Jim’s caregivers Marissa, Gigi, Linda and Ofelia, who provided much-needed care and support during the past few years. She's also very grateful to Loving Care Hospice for providing Jim with excellent care and the opportunity to remain comfortable at home during his last year of life.

A memorial service honoring Jim will be held Monday, February 13, 2:00 pm, at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church.