Terry Melvin Rutledge grew up a farm boy in Illinois, daydreaming over Boy's Life magazine stories of camping, fishing, and hunting in the Rocky Mountains. He made that dream real — taking a job with Mountain Bell and moving his family to Colorado, where he lived the rest of his life. Terry passed away peacefully on June 21, 2026, in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, at the age of 83, leaving behind a life marked by adventure, service, faith, and laughter.

Born on January 7, 1943, in Abingdon, Illinois, Terry grew up working farms owned by his grandparents and parents, dreaming of the American West.

After high school, Terry proudly served as a Staff Sergeant in the Illinois Air National Guard, working as a jet engine mechanic, honorably discharged in 1970.

Soon after, he took that job with Mountain Bell and moved his young family to Colorado, fulfilling the dream that had inspired him since childhood.

As Colorado’s population grew, you could spot Terry climbing telephone poles and splicing phone cables all along the Front Range, eventually managing a regional office out of Castle Rock.

The outdoors, however, was always where Terry felt most alive.

His passion for hunting, fishing, camping, kayaking and wilderness adventure naturally evolved into a lifelong commitment to educating others. He became a Master Hunter Education Instructor, a wilderness survival instructor, and a respected firearms safety educator, devoting countless hours to teaching safe firearm handling, ethical hunting, outdoor preparedness, and respect for nature. Later, while working in the sporting goods industry, he founded American Firearm Safety, and taught hundreds of people the knowledge and confidence to safely enjoy Colorado’s rugged outdoors.

Even in his eighties, Terry never stopped learning. At 81 years old, he earned a firearms instructor training certificate.

Terry also had a love of music that was an important part of his life. In the 1980s and 1990s it was common for Terry to use his deep voice to sing-along to songs like George Strait’s “Amarillo By Morning,” and “Lay Lady Lay,” by Bob Dylan. Music brought him joy and he wasn’t shy about it!

Those who knew Terry will remember his warm smile, quick sense of humor, and genuine love for people. He enjoyed striking up conversations with strangers, telling stories, making others laugh, and leaving people with a smile. He was an optimist and a dreamer who’s hopes for a better life never diminished.

He was a man of faith and believed in being part of something larger than himself — whether through military service, teaching hunter education, or serving his church and community.

Terry is survived by his three children and four grandchildren: his eldest son Chris Rutledge and wife Krissy, parents to Kate and Noah; his son Brad Rutledge and wife Alicia, parents to Finn and Harper; and his daughter Jill Rutledge.

"The Mountains are Calling and I Must Go." - John Muir