Browne Powell Rutledge

Browne Powell (B.P.) Rutledge, 97, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away peacefully on July 21, 2013. The youngest of seven children, he was born on Feb. 28, 1916, in Kenedy, Texas, to William James Rutledge and Fannie (Calvert) Rutledge. Growing up he learned the cattle ranching business from his father, a second generation Texas rancher, and he worked with livestock throughout his life, as he always loved ranching. He graduated from Kenedy High School and from Draughon's Business College in San Antonio. During WWII, he served in the Army Air Corps, stationed in New Guinea. After the war, he made his career at the Post Office, where he worked for more than 40 years and served as Assistant Postmaster. B.P. married the love of his life, Lucille (Bandy) Carlstrom, on Aug. 5, 1948, in San Antonio. They moved to Kenedy, where they raised their three children, Gloria, Jack, and Duane. B.P. was a devoted and involved father. He had a vibrant faith in Jesus Christ and taught Sunday School for many years. Upon his retirement in 1980, he and Lucille moved to Fayetteville, where B. P. remained very active. He pursued his love of gardening and became a Master Gardener, he traveled with Lucille, and he served at Second Mile Ministries and as a deacon at Northeast Baptist Church. B.P. was a happy man who loved to joke and had an infectious laugh. Everyone who met him liked him. Although he was a rugged cowboy, he was one of the kindest and gentlest people you could meet. He cherished his family and was expressive in his love for them. He was a tireless worker, even into his old age, and he was a servant--especially in recent years to his dear wife of nearly 65 years. B.P. is survived by his daughter, Gloria Mills and her husband, Bill, of Fayetteville; his sons, Dr. John Rutledge and his wife, Dr. Amparo Villablanca, and Duane Rutledge, all of Sacramento, Calif.; his grandson, Scott Mills and his wife, Jennifer of Springdale, Ark.; his granddaughter, Kristen Hodskins and her husband, Kent, of Fayetteville; five great-grandchildren, Lila, Charlotte and Barrett Mills of Springdale and Aidan and Patrick Hodskins of Fayetteville; as well as beloved nieces and nephews. B.P. is preceded in death by his wife, Lucille, who died recently on May 26; his parents; his sisters, Bessie Bee Holchak, Alice Kathryn Butler, Abbie Gail David and Fay Byrd; and his brothers, Will Jay Rutledge and Jack Rutledge. The visitation will be held at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home, 4520 N. Crossover Road in Fayetteville, on Thursday, July 25, 2013, from 4 to 6 p.m. The funeral service will be held at Chapel of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home at 10 a.m. Friday, July 26, 2013. Interment to follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens, 1728 E Mission Blvd., Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Second Mile Ministries at UBC. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.nelsonberna.com.