Obituary for Roger Rutar
Roger Rutar, 78, of Amarillo, passed away on Monday, January 15, 2024. Celebration of life services will be held in the spring.
Roger was born on October 7, 1945 in Cleveland, Ohio to Joseph and Margaret (Schrump) Rutar. He married Terry McCarley in Amarillo almost fifty years ago on March 8, 1974. Roger always said he married his soulmate. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Roger was an avid car enthusiast. He had an immense knowledge of and love for cars, leading him to start Contemporary Classics in Amarillo in 1974. Terry shared his love of cars, and they traveled coast to coast in their ’34 Chevy street rod, creating many beautiful memories. He also had an extraordinary connection to animals, and they, in turn, were drawn to him. Being an avid animal lover, he took in many strays and constantly donated to animal shelters. Living at Lake Tanglewood for the last 40 years allowed him to hand feed the deer and wildlife, and he thoroughly enjoyed naming his pet deer. He also had multiple dogs and three rescue cats that he adored. Roger loved his family dearly and he would do anything for them, no matter what it was.
Roger is preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, Herman and Vera McCarley, and brother-in-law, Danny McCarley.
Survivors include his wife, Terry Rutar, of the home; sisters-in-law, Bellinda Smith and husband, Darryl of Amarillo and Linda McCarley of Pampa; nieces, Brittany Hollis and husband, Jeremy of Amarillo, Ashley Mills of Amarillo, and Jennifer Reeves and husband, Cameron of Canyon; and nephew, Jason McCarley of Canyon.
The family suggests memorials be to Gracie’s Project, 7617 Canyon Dr., Amarillo, TX 79110.
Roger was born on October 7, 1945 in Cleveland, Ohio to Joseph and Margaret (Schrump) Rutar. He married Terry McCarley in Amarillo almost fifty years ago on March 8, 1974. Roger always said he married his soulmate. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Roger was an avid car enthusiast. He had an immense knowledge of and love for cars, leading him to start Contemporary Classics in Amarillo in 1974. Terry shared his love of cars, and they traveled coast to coast in their ’34 Chevy street rod, creating many beautiful memories. He also had an extraordinary connection to animals, and they, in turn, were drawn to him. Being an avid animal lover, he took in many strays and constantly donated to animal shelters. Living at Lake Tanglewood for the last 40 years allowed him to hand feed the deer and wildlife, and he thoroughly enjoyed naming his pet deer. He also had multiple dogs and three rescue cats that he adored. Roger loved his family dearly and he would do anything for them, no matter what it was.
Roger is preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, Herman and Vera McCarley, and brother-in-law, Danny McCarley.
Survivors include his wife, Terry Rutar, of the home; sisters-in-law, Bellinda Smith and husband, Darryl of Amarillo and Linda McCarley of Pampa; nieces, Brittany Hollis and husband, Jeremy of Amarillo, Ashley Mills of Amarillo, and Jennifer Reeves and husband, Cameron of Canyon; and nephew, Jason McCarley of Canyon.
The family suggests memorials be to Gracie’s Project, 7617 Canyon Dr., Amarillo, TX 79110.