Obituary

Rex Dean Rutherford, 80, passed away at home in Mesa, Arizona after a long struggle with cancer. He was born in Tacoma, Washington on December 4, 1928. Dean graduated from Clover Park High School in 1945 and from the College of Puget Sound after serving four years in the US Air Force. Dean owned and operated his own automotive transmission business in California for 26 years. During that time, he served as President of the Automotive Transmission Builders Association. In 1973, Dean relocated his family back to his roots in Tacoma, Washington where he continued with the automotive business until retirement.

Dean and his devoted wife Janet ?Jan? enjoyed RV?ing, boating, golf, tennis, traveling and most of all reading. Many years were spent wintering in sunny Arizona and summering at the beach house in Belfair, WA. Dean and his wife were members of the Broadway Christian Church in Mesa.

Dean is survived by his loving wife Jan, of 23 years; four children, Mark (Claire) Rutherford, Blake Rutherford, twin daughters Paula (Wayne) Puryear, and Pamela (Victor) Blume; step-children Gary (Janice) Taccogna, Julie Taccogna, and David Taccogna; grandchildren Aaron (Valerie), Matt, Nicholas, Shane, Mary, Alex, Matt, Emily, Pat, Kara, Michael, Tim, John, Eric, and Shay.

Dean passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by all of his children, family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Rex and Ula Rutherford; sister, Rosalind Baldwin; and twin grandsons, Blake and Brandon Rutherford.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dean?s name may be made to: Banner Hospice, 1235 N. Fiesta Blvd, Ste #1, Gilbert, AZ 85233 or Broadway Christian Church 7335 E. Broadway Rd., Mesa, AZ 85209