Emerson Gene Rutledge

Funeral services for Emerson Gene Rutledge, 59, Clinton resident, were scheduled for 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the Clinton Indian Community Center, officiated by Rev. Gerald Panana.

Rutledge died Friday, May 15, 2015, in the Oklahoma Medical Center in Oklahoma City.

He was born April 15, 1956 to Amos Beaver, Sr. and Pauline White Turtle in Clinton.

Emerson was raised in Madill and graduated from Madill High School. He soon enlisted in the U.S. Navy and after his honorable discharge, he returned to Clinton and was employed with Cornell

Construction Company. He was forced to medically retire after suffering a series of strokes.

He was an accomplished artist, and he was a brother of Indian artist Amos Beaver.  He assisted and helped him in doing sculptures and selling art work.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers and sisters, Dwayne White Turtle, Ernestine Beaver Randall, Laura Beaver, Lorenda Beaver Smith, Stanley Beaver and Amelia Beaver.

Survivors include his wife, Elma Vasquez, of the home; three children, Montoya Fawn Rutledge, of El Reno, Robert William Rutledge, of Watonga, and Kyra Zane Marie Rutledge, of Weatherford; and his brother, Amos Beaver Jr. of Clinton.

He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, including Erin Blindy, Evin Blindy and, William Blindy all of Clinton.

Burial will conclude in the Clinton Indian Cemetery, under the direction of the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton.