John Dexter Caruthers, Jr., 76, a 40-year Paducah resident, passed away Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, at his home.

He was born Feb. 13, 1936, in Nashville, Tenn., to the late John D. and Annie Elizabeth Allen Caruthers. John served in the United States Air Force for four years, achieving the rank of Airman First Class. He was the owner and operator of Fergerson Automotive Supply from 1972-1995 and was Past President of Kentucky Automotive Wholesalers Association. He was of the Baptist faith and worshiped at Gospel Mission Worship Center. John was an avid boater who had numerous friends at Kentucky Dam Marina and leaves behind many dear friends from his breakfast and coffee clubs.

Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Jean Towns Caruthers; two sons, Christopher Caruthers (Terri) of Rex, N.Y., and John D. Caruthers, III (Kathy) of Paducah; two daughters, Kimberly Wright (Vince) of Nashville and Karen Bell (Allen) of Dallas; one sister, Marianne Grusheski of Falling Waters, W.Va.; and grandchildren, Shannon White (Rick), Kayla and Nicholas Caruthers, Dexter, Patrick and Katie Caruthers, Blake and Alexandra Lovan, and Elizabeth and Jack Bell; and great-grandchildren, Carson, Campbell and Palmer White.

The family would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to Dr. Kyle Parish and the nursing staff at Lourdes hospital for their excellent care, kindness and compassion.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Rev. Jim Wright and Rev. Jim Greenwell officiating. Entombment with military honors will follow at Maplelawn Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105; Gospel Mission Worship Center Building Fund, 6905 Benton Road, Paducah, KY 42001; or Lourdes Foundation, 1530 Lone Oak Road, Paducah, KY 42003.

You may leave a message of sympathy or light a memorial candle at www.milnerandorr.com.