Roy Leonard Rucker 1923 ~ 2011
Roy Leonard Rucker, 87, was born June 4, 1923, and passed away March 10, 2011. He began life at the Mesa Ranch School in Mesa, Arizona where his father, Simeon Herbert Rucker was the ranch manager. His mother, Eula Lee Smith, gave birth to six children, of which Roy was the third oldest. Roy attended schools in Mesa and graduated from Mesa High School. Roy married his childhood sweetheart Mary Charlotte Johnson in Mesa, Arizona, March 23, 1942. He joined the Army Air Corps and became a B-29 pilot in World War Il. After the war, Roy began his business career by forming the Rucker Equipment Company. He also built a large citrus ranch in Mecca, California, The Rucker Homestead. Roy was very civic minded, serving 11 years as a member of the Amphitheater School Board in Tucson, AZ. Roy was proud that he was able to present high school diplomas to most of his children. Flying his airplanes was a favorite pastime as well as researching family history, a heritage of which he was very proud. Roy was dedicated to his family and treasured the time he spent with them. Of his many achievements, leaving a righteous posterity, taught by his example, was his greatest legacy. His wife, Mary Charlotte Johnson, preceded Roy in death. Survivors include his children Shirley (Mike) Klein, Orem, UT; Charles (Vickie) Rucker, Gila Bend, AZ; Karen (Ray) van der Werf, Gilbert, AZ; Barbara (Richard) Tarwater, Payson, UT; Bruce (Marcy) Rucker, Palm Desert, CA; and Rich (Deborah) Rucker, Maricopa, AZ; 31 grandchildren and 56 great-grandchildren. His parents and his siblings: Herbert, Louis, Ruth, Eldon ("Bud") and Robert, all preceded him in death. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the West Mountain Ward Chapel, 5327 West 10400 South, Payson, Utah. A viewing will be held that morning from 9:30- 10:45 a.m. Interment with Military honors will be in the Payson City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.walkerfamilymortuary.com