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Timothy Rucks Obituary
1960 - 2015
Timothy "Tim" W. Rucks, 54, passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday, March 10, 2015. Timothy was born in Waukegan, Ill., Dec. 21, 1960, son of the late Walter and Courtney (Nee: Young) Rucks.
Tim was a graduate of Waukegan West High School and Carthage College. Furthering his education he received his Masters Degree from Northeastern Illinois University. Tim was head coach at North Park University for five years and the head football coach at Carthage College for eighteen years. The past two years Tim was the Assistant Athletic Director at Carthage. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Racine and was active with the Kenosha Youth Football League. An avid hunter and fisherman, Tim was a huge Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs fan. He will be dearly missed.
Survivors include his brothers and sisters, James (Cindy) Rucks, William (Janet) Rucks, Thomas (Mary Ellen) Rucks, Renee (David) Sams, Richard Rucks, Peter (Cindy) Rucks, Mary (Michael) Gray, Rebecca (Frank) Belmont; good friend, Peter Jones; nieces and nephews, Melissa, Lindsay, Kristin, Brianne, Chris, Alex, Lauren, Jamie, Katelynn, Colton, Hudson, Grayson; great nieces and nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.
Relatives and friends may meet with the family on Saturday, March 14, 2015, at Carthage College Seibert Chapel, 2001 Alford Park, Kenosha from 1 p.m. until time of service at 3 p.m. A Memorial Service will follow at 3 p.m. with Rev. Kara Baylor and Rev. Brad Van Fossen officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Kenosha Youth Football League or H.O.P.E. Safe House, Racine have been suggested.
MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 MAIN ST. RACINE, WI 53403
(262) 634-7888
Please send condolences to
www.meredithfuneralhome.com
Memories and Condolences
for Timothy Rucks
Elise Bur
March 7, 2024
Still miss you and think of you often!
Brian Lee
March 7, 2021
Miss you Tim!
Brenda Poggendorf
March 7, 2019
I think of Tim often (with fondness). Great guy. With integrity, personality and a healthy sense of humor.
Adrian Diaz
March 17, 2015
Saturday March 14th 2015
Re:In Memoriam
To: Family, friends and Carthage College Colleagues
" To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, Mercy, and eternal life from god the father and Christ Jesus our Lord" 2 Timothy 1:7
The death of a loved one always bring discouraging and distressing and sad moments to our lives "BUT" we must be confident in the lord that coach Tim now is in good hands..." Death is the golden key that opens the palace of Eternity" J. Milton, " He that dies pays all debts" W. Shakespeare.
For the last four years I have the privileged to talk to coach Tim while we were working out on the Carthage College Fitness Center. Last Monday March 9th, 2015 as usual he entered the gym, Hi! coach,he replied Adrian how are you doing? walked directly to the treadmill then to the leg presses, a few minutes later he left the gym quietly by the backdoor exit. we were classmates in the 1980 Sporadically I spoke to him while he was in the library. Most of the time he was practicing and playing away.
Dear friend "Requiescat in pace"
" WHILE I HAVE MEMORY, A BREATH OF LIFE IN MY BODY, I SHALL REMEMBER'
CARTHAGE...VERGIL'S THE AENEID
Adrian T. Diaz
Carthage College, 1983
2817 Carpenter ave
Racine, WI 53403
Rick Kantola
March 16, 2015
I was so saddened to hear of Tim's passing. My condolences to his family. I grew up in Waukegan and knew Tim from junior high and high school. I wish I could have known him in adult life. Even as a teenager, you could tell Tim was a good person, kind and true. It doesn't surprise me he influenced so many young men as a coach.
Tracy Wooldridge
March 16, 2015
Condolences to the Ruck's family and all the lives he touched along the path. Tim was a classmate at Wkgn West and will be sorely missed.
Andi Schardt
March 15, 2015
My heart aches at the loss of a friend. We lived in the same neighborhood and went to school together from kindergarten until my family moved from Bonnie Brook Lane to Indiana in 1977, at the start of our junior year. My mom was so very fond of Tim and his family. I've got good memories of Tim, but sadly not enough. He was always kind and always a gentleman. This news has brought such a heaviness upon my heart. I cannot imagine the grief his family is experiencing. My family sends their love and prayers to the Rucks family. The Schardt Family-
Helen, Andi, Denise, and Danny
Clayton Diskerud
March 15, 2015
I was impressed with Tim when he was a student at Carthage, but even more so upon his return as a colleague. A truly fine man and scholar--which made him also a fine coach.
Brian Lee
March 14, 2015
Thank you for the friendship we shared Tim. I'll miss you to the moon and back. Rest in peace and watch over your beautiful family. Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I'll miss you until we meet again!
Elbert "Berdie" Kern
March 14, 2015
You will be missed, but your memories remain captured in my heart. You were an inspiration to me as a person, my coach and my friend. I will cherish those memories forever. Prayers goes out to the Rucks family.
March 14, 2015
My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Rucks family. Though we have not gotten together for many years I still remember some great times with you all. Mary Rucks Balthazor
Pat&Judi Moore
March 14, 2015
May we extend our deepest condolences to Tim's family.
He was a wonderful, generous, coach and man. We are honored to have known him and will forever cherish the memories.
dean gotch
March 14, 2015
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
Jim Sakas
March 14, 2015
Tim was one of the finest men I have ever known. I coached along side him at Niles North and considered him a great friend. I will never forget all the great moments we experienced together in both coaching and as friends. He loss will be felt for years to come. He was the finest coach Carthage has ever had and certainly the finest role model to ever coach at the college. Tim was a man's man...he wore his heart on his sleeve and also the the heart and compasion of a Saint. Former player's and fellow coaches will never forget this man and his teachings. Farewell "General George Patton" may you rest in peace. The Good Lord knew you were a great coach and now calls on you to lead his team! We will meet again in another place. May God bless you and the entire Rucks family. I will never forget you.
Reba Reeves & Nicholas Charlton
March 14, 2015
Jim, Cindy & girls ~ I am so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you guys.
Donner Kepler
March 14, 2015
Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with all the family at this time.
Fondly, Donner & Millie Kepler
Jimmy Vukovich
March 13, 2015
Tim was a childhood friend of mine. Our backyard faced the Ruck's backyard. We were in the same grade. We went to the same schools. Tim, Pete and I rode the same school bus. Tim was a very mild mannered and gentle guy. I lost touch with Tim in my early adult years but we found each other about 10 years ago. We tried our best to plan a trip to see each other but it never worked out. Tim buddy, I'll miss you and think of you often. I know you will watch over your family and loved ones. Help them find peace in your passing. You made a huge impact on the world. I'm so proud you are my friend.
March 13, 2015
Coach Rucks was a special , caring person , our sorrow is with the family.
Elise Bur
March 13, 2015
Tim touched the lives of many people and the life he lived serves as an example of how to be respectful, kind and generous to others. May fond memories of Tim and all of his inspirational efforts towards others live on and may we strive to continuously improve ourselves and the world around us in memory of Tim.
The Vencevich Family
March 13, 2015
We are thinking of you and your family as you celebrate your Tim's remarkable life and the memories you shared. Your family is a part of our family and all of us who first lived and grew up on Warner.
Brenda Poggendorf
March 13, 2015
It was an honor to know and work with Tim. He was an example of how we should approach life and how we should treat one another.
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