Joshua Leon Rutledge Obituary (1975

Joshua Leon "Josh" Rutledge was the first-born son to Terry and Laura Rutledge on March 21, 1975. He attended Moody Christian Academy, Anderson Public School and then Sand Springs Schools. He participated in many sports. He wrestled, played football, but his favorite was baseball where he played first base. He graduated from Charles Page High School in 1993. He attended Carl Albert State College on a baseball scholarship, then transferred to East Central University in Ada where he continued to play college ball while getting a bachelor's degree in business. He graduated in spring of 1997. Josh had a love for hunting and fishing, just like his dad. When he could and wasn't playing baseball, you would find Josh, his dad Terry, and brother Jake down below the dam, on the lake, or in a tree stand somewhere enjoying God's creation. He shared time with many high school and college friends being outside and doing what he loved. Heidi first met Josh the day he was born. Their parents were great friends and served in church together. His parents were at the hospital when Heidi was born and eight months later, her parents were there the day Josh was born. Heidi had a special love for Josh starting at a very young age, around 5. Every picture of their church friends, Heidi is right by his side. A note was passed to Josh that asked "Do you like Heidi? Check yes or no." He checked Yes. Closer to preteen years, Josh asked Heidi to "go with him" in another note. Heidi responded, "Hold your horses," to which Josh replied, "I don't have any horses to hold." That courtship was brief and life would move Heidi away for 7 years. A lot of awkward years passed until the Christmas season of 1995, when their lives once again would intersect. Their first date was Christmas Eve, and within one week's time, they both knew. They were each other's person forever. It was a whirlwind love story and they were married one year later, January 4th, 1997. After graduation, Josh and Heidi moved back to Sand Springs and quickly welcomed their firstborn son, Rhett Taylor, on Oct. 2, 1997. Josh pursued the Tulsa Fire Department, wanting to follow in his dad's footsteps. He became a third-generation Tulsa Firefighter on March 2, 1998. Josh also umpired, worked in his dad's pawn shop and did numerous jobs to provide for his little family. They welcomed their second son, Riley Tate Pete, to their family Sept. 21, 1999. Life was busy and full. When the two boys were young, Josh began to coach them in baseball. Baseball always being a love of his, it was easy for him to fall into this role. Five years to the day later, their third son, Rhen Tristan, was born. Sept 21, 2004, the only planned baby they had. What a blessing for Josh to have three sons and they all acquired a love for baseball at an early age. Josh coached all three boys during their little league years. They were competitive teams which filled many weekends for many years. It always bothered Josh to play on Sundays, The Lord's Days, so he started having baseball devotionals any and every Sunday that any of his boys' teams were playing. He set aside time to prepare a lesson and teach the boys, and sometimes parents if they wanted to listen, about what life was really about. That baseball was merely a platform for building character and bringing glory to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. He coached many boys for 15-plus years and taught them so much more than just baseball. He also spent about 5 years hosting a baseball camp in the summers in his baseball facility and property. "In The Big Inning," the name of the camp, was another opportunity to share his love of baseball and a platform for what mattered most, God. Thinking that their life would only be boys and baseball, Josh and Heidi got the surprise of their life when they welcomed their daughter, Reese Tatum, into their family on May 13, 2014. Josh loved being a daddy to his precious baby girl and his life was forever changed. Not just hunting, fishing, and baseball anymore but now dresses, bows, and butterfly kisses. He was over the moon and loved being a daddy to his little princess. Recently, Reese found a love for softball and Josh once again was back into the role of teaching one of his kids about the game. They spent many evenings outside playing catch and working on her softball swing. He was promoted to Pops when his sweet grandbaby Sutton was born in August of 2019. Life indeed had flipped from all things boys to the sweetness of little girls. He loved this little girl and always took time with her no matter what he had going on. They enjoyed swinging, talking, and big bear hugs together. Last year, Josh and Heidi's family welcomed Jaymie into their home after she lost her mom. Once again, another girl to add to the love. Josh absolutely loved his career with Tulsa Fire and always looked forward to going to work and serving. He became a relief driver in 1999, was promoted to FD-02, driver in 2005 and then to FD-03, Captain on April 28th, 2012. Next March, would have been 25 years on the job. Josh led by example and had a quiet strength that was contagious. He loved his firefighter brothers and was always ready to lend a hand or a listening ear. Since March 2013, Josh has been a member of the "Fire2Fire" Support Resources. He was the C-Platoon leader and enjoyed serving in this way. He was constantly learning and growing on how help others in their time of need. This past January he temporarily transferred to the training center to become a training officer for the largest cadet class Tulsa has ever had. He spent more than five months with other officers training, leading, mentoring, and ministering to a great group of young men and women. He took the time to listen, to support, to praise, to have the hard talks, and to lead by example. He led the group on long runs, leading them and showing them that at nearly 25 years on the job, he still had the drive and strength to be the best firefighter he could be. This drive came from his desire to please God and honor Him. Colossians 3:17 was really his life verse: "And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Josh knew he had a calling from God, to love others to the Kingdom of God. He weaved this into every part of his life. From home with his family, on the job, on the baseball field, to strangers, and with his church. His father-in-law and pastor, Robert Haling, mentored him for 25 years. His love for the Lord and Pastor Haling put in him a deep desire to minister to others. In the last few years, the call to pastor was strong on his heart and he was obedient to the Lord. He spent most of the last two years preaching on Sundays and pastoring to many every day. He prayed with them and for them, he encouraged them, he checked in on them, he ministered to their needs, whether physical or spiritual. He spent many hours with people who were mourning, suffering, struggling, or just needing a helping hand. He surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus on a daily basis, growing and learning. He was fully engaged to always be prepared to be a vessel for the Lord Jesus. Josh loved his wife deeply and sacrificed daily for her and their children. He was humble, patient, strong, loved deeply, and had a work ethic like no other. He loved spending time with family and took his role as husband and father/grandfather very seriously. He led with humility, always saying whatever good he had in him was only because of the grace of God. He wasn't perfect and he would have been the first to say so. But he was just what his family and friends needed. He always had a listening ear and a loving spirit to be there for anyone at any time. He was so proud of his children. Rhett, his oldest spreading his wings and accomplishing dreams and goals. Riley, looking to follow his dad into fire service, while working with EMSA and learning and growing about being a first responder. Rhen, attending the Tulsa Fire Department Internship this year, was a proud moment for Josh. He loved that Riley and Rhen had a desire to serve their community. His biggest desire for all of his children and grandbaby was that they pursue and follow after the Lord Jesus Christ. That they realize this world is temporary, short, and fleeting. But when putting faith in Christ, and repenting of your sins, you can be very assured that there is hope and a future. To live with him in Eternity where there is no more pain, no more sorrows, and no more tears. Josh experienced this on Friday when he took his last breath here and he heard "Well done my Son." Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be Strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Survived by, Wife, Heidi Rutledge Sons Rhett, Riley, Rhen, and daughter Reese "Adopted daughter" Jaymie Mills Grand baby, Sutton Parents, Terry and Laura Rutledge Grandmother, Mary Nell Rutledge Brother, Jacob Rutledge and wife Trinity. Nephews, Chase, Brody, Wyatt Sister, Lisa Sanchez, and husband Richard and son Devon Uncle, Chuck Townsend and wife Mary Uncle, John Townsend and wife Rosalie Aunt, Tammy Davis, and husband Butch Uncle, Robert Rutledge and wife Dana Aunt, Gail Townsend Aunt, Regina Caves Also, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and many nephews and nieces that he loved immensely. Preceded in death, Grandfather, Pete Rutledge Grandfather, Larry Caves Grandmother, Christene Sandford Uncle, Mike Townsend Uncle, Wes Caves