Dr. Ralph “Buck” Jennings Rutledge, Jr., 88, of Chester, VA, passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday, January 1, 2026. Born on July 30, 1937, he was the son of the late Ralph Jennings Rutledge, Sr. and Nonie Ewing Rutledge. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Virginia Fitzpatrick; grandson, Logan J. Rutledge; and his nephew, Jeffrey Scheirman.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Pamelia Rutledge; children, Mark Rutledge (Mirjam), Jason Miller (Amanda), and Jennifer Williamson (Brandon); grandchildren, Dolen Rutledge, Nathan Rutledge, Lawton Rutledge, Jasper Koridon, Jelle Koridon, Chesa Koridon, Braydon Miller, Blake Conn, Caleb Williamson, Chase Williamson, Bryce Miller, and Brantley Miller; sister, Jeannie Scheirman (Joe); brother, James Rutledge; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

Dr. Rutledge proudly served his country in the United States Army as a Captain from 1963 to 1966, including service during the Vietnam War. He graduated from West Virginia University with his doctorate in dentistry and dedicated 42 years of his life to caring for others through his practice. Dr. Rutledge was known for his generous heart and willingness to help whenever he saw a need- most notably when he donated custom mouth guards to the Virginia State University football team when funding fell short, and when he funded the education of several underprivileged students at WVU as a devoted alumnus. Deeply invested in the Colonial Heights community, he was a member of American Legion Post #284, past President of the Colonial Heights Kiwanis Club, and played a key role in establishing the city’s Fourth of July celebration at the Colonial Heights football field. Dr. Rutledge was a longtime member of The Heights Baptist Church and, in his free time, enjoyed golfing, fishing, traveling with friends, cheering on the WVU Mountaineers, flying as an avid pilot, and most of all, spending cherished time with his family.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026, at The Heights Baptist Church, 17201 US-1, South Chesterfield, VA 23834. A memorial service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will take place privately at the Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia with military honors. Arrangements are by the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, https://t2t.org/donate/