Major General George Warren Rutter, USAF (Ret), 97, of Front Royal, VA, passed away on Monday, August 12, 2024, at Hidden Springs Senior Living in Bentonville, VA.

A gathering for friends and family will be held at Maddox Funeral Home, 105 West Main Street Front Royal, VA on a date yet to be determined. The burial will take place at West Point Cemetery at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY as soon as arrangements are finalized.

George was born on May 17, 1927, in San Francisco, CA, to the late Warren and Myra Rutter. George is also preceded in death by his younger brother, William Rutter.

George is survived by Deborah, his spouse of 35 years; daughters Hollis (Patrick), Laura (Tom); step-children Sarah (Kirk) and Daniel (Rachel); sister-in-law, Lola; grandchildren, Emma (Jamar), Olivia, and Clara; and great-grandchild, Grayson. George is also survived by Virginia, former spouse.

General Rutter had a distinguished military career. After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 1948, he was Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and became a command pilot, with more than 4,100 flying hours. General Rutter served in the wars in Korea and Vietnam and his military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with “V” device, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, and Air Force Commendation Medal. General Rutter was promoted to Major General in 1978 and retired in 1980.

In retirement, George was an active member at Kingston Parish (Episcopal), Mathews, VA where he was committed to the work of the Gloucester-Mathews Job Referral Service. After moving to Front Royal in 1995, George became a member of Calvary Episcopal Church. He oversaw the interior renovations of the church connected to the Calvary 2000 Campaign. He served the community of Front Royal in his work with the Congregational Community Action Project (C-Cap) until his 90th Birthday in 2017.