Bradley Rutherford

Bradley James Rutherford was born on November 1, 1966 in Fayetteville, Arkansas to Paul J. and Helen Mattox Rutherford. Anxiously awaiting his arrival back home in Stilwell were his older siblings Paul David and Karen.

Brad was a passionate, engaging and gifted man. He enjoyed attending Stilwell Public Schools and found playing defensive guard, number 67, for the Stilwell Indians a very great joy. He also enjoyed power lifting and lightheartedly reveled in proving his great physical strength. He admired Coach Kelly Whitely and his biology instructorcoach Ren Butler. While in school, Brad loved writing for his high school underground newspaper, The Casket News Network wherein he lampooned fellow students, teachers and school administrators. Brad hoped to be offered a football scholarship to the University of Arkansas, but much to his disappointment, he only received an offer from Nebraska. He was and remained a frustrated Hog Fan. Therefore, Brad attended Northeastern State University where he majored in History. While still a student, Brad met the love of his life, Radena Morton. He asked her to marry him on their fourth date and she agreed. He quit college and began working on the night shift at Stilwell Foods as a management trainee. They were married in Stilwell at the First Christian Church on September 17, 1987. Brad picked the date because it was the same date as the Battle of Antietam and he knew he could never forget his anniversary.

Those who knew Brad knew him as a clever, good humored, well read man and a wonderful friend. He loved and appreciated the fact that his ancestors were from the south and he was passionate about learning all he could about the American Civil War. To that end, he participated as a confederate reenactor for several years. During this time he took part reenactments in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Mississippi. Everyone knew that the Battle of Prairie Grove in Arkansas was his favorite reenactment and that Prairie Grove was his favorite place on earth next to his wifes family home on Davis Mountain. He loved to go deer hunting and especially wild pig hunting. He liked to fish, swim and spend time at the creek. He knew all of the historical spots in this part of the state and loved sharing that knowledge with friends and family. He researched his ancestry and realized that he was descended from Choctaw and Cherokee peoples, but unfortunately, he could not prove this to be a tribal member.

During his life, Brad was a child of God. He attended Bunch Baptist Church where he accepted Christ as his Savior.
Then He attended the First Christian Church where he was baptized. Later, after deep consideration, Brad and
Radena converted to the Orthodox Christian Faith. They became and remain members of St. Anthonys Orthodox
Christian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Additionally, they have attended traditional Indian religious ceremonies
at the Echota Stomp Ground in Park Hill, Oklahoma.

His friends will remember that in the fall of 2002, after he Participated in the Battle of Honey Springs reenactment
his toes became numb. This numbness quickly spread to his head and caused paralysis of his whole body.
He was diagnosed with Guillian Barre Syndrome and after a three month hospital stay, he returned home,
but he was different. He could no longer rely on his physical strength for everything. Brad graduated from a
wheel chair to Canadian crutches from crutches to a cane and then ultimately was able to walk unassisted.
Constant, chronic pain however, was his 24 hour companion. During the last few years, Brad had returned to
using a cane part of the time.

Brad was a member and the 2013 Worshipful Master of Westville Masonic Lodge No. 549. He admired and
respected the men who Inspired and taught him the Masonic language, J.L. Hallford, Richard Olinger,
Charlie Ballenger, the late JD Olinger and his best friend Bill Roedenbeck. He practiced his memory work
continuously always trying to improve himself and to help others. To the end of his days Brad never quit learning.
He continued to read history books and watch documentaries. He even wrote an unpublished history of the Civil
War in Northwest Arkansas.

Brad and Radena were married for almost 27 years. He was her best friend, soul mate and confidant he
was the author of her happiness and could annoy her like no one else. He was greatly loved and he loved
others greatly. He was a fierce ally and friend and an enemy to no man. He helped anyone that asked, anytime,
day or night. He will be missed more than he ever dreamed.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Paul and Helen, his sister: Karen and his motherinlaw: Pixie Morton Cain.

He leaves behind his wife Radena, brother: Paul David and wife Crystal of Broken Arrow, OK, his beloved
aunt and second mom: Janice Shook and uncle Robert of Kinta, OK, fatherinlaw: Andrew Cain, sisterinlaw:
Pat Winkler and husband John of Stilwell, brotherinlaw: Ron Cain and wife Teresa of Stilwell,
sisterinlaw: Janice Fletcher and husband Wendell of Stilwell, brotherinlaw: Lanny Cain and wife Youlanda
of Bunch, OK, brotherinlaw: David Cain and wife Tressa of Stilwell, sisterinlaw: Andrea Longshore and
husband Ricky of Stilwell, sisterinlaw: Stephanie Anderson and husband Jeff of Tulsa, OK, numerous
nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Life will not be the same without him.

Funeral services were held at 10 am on Monday, August 4, 2014 at RobertsReedCulver Chapel with the Very Reverend Father George Eber of the St. Anthony Orthodox Church of Tulsa, Oklahoma officiating. Interment followed at Stilwell City Cemetery.

Service