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RICHARD RUCKER Obituary
"DICK" LEE
Richard "Dick" Lee Rucker, 87, passed peacefully on November 17, 2010, surrounded by his family at the Gainesville VA Medical Center. A native of Falls Church, Virginia, Dick was born on June 21, 1924 to William and Hazel Rucker. They lived in Falls Church, where his father owned a large lumber business.
Moving to Florida during the Great Depression while he was still a teenager, Dick settled in Miami where he began to look for work. As a teenager, Dick had worked in the new Orange Bowl Stadium before he began his long career as a plumber and began working for Buck Plumbing. It was in Miami where he met and married Joyce Council, his beloved wife of 68 years.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dick was called to protect his country and enlisted into the US Army when he turned eighteen. He served with great distinction in the 164th Infantry Regiment of the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal) in the Pacific Theater from 1943-1946. Dick saw combat in Bougainville, The Philippines and Okinawa as well as performing occupation duty in Yokohama, Japan before returning home in 1946.
Following the War, he returned to his friends and family in Miami, he and Joyce started a family of their own and he returned to his work. During his long career as a Master Plumber, Dick was an integral part of Florida's rapid growth where he helped to complete some of the largest plumbing and pipefitting projects in Florida to include construction of Walt Disney World. His career took he and his family up and down the State where they resided in Gainesville, Venus and finally retirement in Newberry. Dick was a 32nd degree lifetime member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and member of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union #234.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce; his children, Linda Fellows, Rick (Sandy) and Rodney; five grandchildren, Michael, Rodney, Jr., Kim, Kelly and Richard and three great grandchildren, Thad, Aubrey and Lillian.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME WESTAREA 823 NW 143rd Street, with Dr. Don McGarity officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
WILLIAMS-THOMAS WESTAREA
(352) 376-7556
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Memories and Condolences
for RICHARD RUCKER
4 Entries
burton singletary
November 23, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Amy
November 20, 2010
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear loved one. It's comforting to know that God cares for all of us. The Bible gives us hope that one day we can see our loved ones again. On behalf of all mankind Jesus surrendered his soul. John 15:13 says “No one has love greater than this, that someone should surrender his soul on behalf of his friends.” Truly I am sorry to hear of the loss of your dear loved one and I hope these few words will bring you comfort and hope.
Rick Stevens
November 19, 2010
Rick and Rodney - Never knew your old man, but he brought two talented and colorful sons to the planet, so he must have had something special going for him. I wish the two of you and your loved ones well. So sorry for your loss.... Rick Stevens, Flagler Beach
November 19, 2010
I met Dick Rucker in 1967 while working as a plumbers apprentice on the new Holiday Inn at 13th and University Avenue. He was a great teacher and had the finest handwriting I had ever seen. One day he asked me to squeeze through a hole in the ceiling to repairs a pipe. I responded that it was too small. With a few choice words he convinced me that if a person could get their head through a hole, they could deliver their whole body. When I challenged him, he commenced to show me how and did it. I offered that while he was through the hole he might as well fix the problem. He did. Dick was a good friend and always had an answer to a problem. He was a master plumber. Even my father, Russ Pisano, Sr, who was also a veteran and plumber, who could be rough at times, respected Dick. They could argue and then shake hands as friends. I had great respect and admiration for him. I know his family and friends will miss him. Good Job Soldier!
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