Former Mayor of Hopkinsville, teacher and business owner Al C. Rutland Jr. passed away Monday at the age of 81.
Rutland was appointed as mayor of Hopkinsville in 1975 and were serve in that capacity until 1981—he also served as councilman beginning in 1969, taught mathematics at Christian County High School for eight years and was the owner and operator of Rutland’s barbecue, which was started by his father in 1948.
Many years ago on WHOP, Mayor Rutland urged people to help those in need in the community, this time speaking specifically of youth who needed guidance in their lives.
He was married for 56 years to his wife, Jane Carroll Yancey Rutland, was an active member of First Presbyterian Church since 1953 and a long-standing member of the Kiwanis Club in Hopkinsville.
Funeral services will be 12 p.m. Thursday, at Hughart, Beard & Giles Funeral Home with the Rev. Charlie Evans officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 10 a.m. until the service hour.