Sammy Paul Rutherford

Sammy "Sam" Paul Rutherford, 70, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior surrounded by family in his home on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

Sam was born on January 1, 1953, in Sallisaw, Oklahoma to the late Wallace Rutherford and Bonnie (Gatlin) Bigger. He is survived by his wife, Karen Rutherford, brothers Preston Rutherford and Jim Rutherford and wife Monica, sisters Ginny Rutherford, Karen Smith, and Kayla Way and husband Frankie, children; Brandon Rutherford and wife Rachel of Maryland, Steven Rutherford and wife Traci of Morrilton, Kristi Stahr and husband Zach of Florida, Grant Ward and wife Erica of Hot Springs, and Samantha Rutherford and fiancé Nick of San Francisco, California, and many grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Sam loved Jesus, his family, his friends, his dog “Roscoe”, and his country. Before he retired from Arkansas Flag and Banner in 2018, he served in the United States Airforce as an In-flight Refueling Specialist during the Vietnam War.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at the First Baptist Church in Morrilton, Arkansas. The service will be officiated by his son, Steven Rutherford.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Chen of Genesis Oncology and Stephanie of Elite Hospice.