John Rucker

John "Bud" David Rucker July 30, 1915 - July 19, 2012 Passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family. John was born in Miami Station, MO and grew up on a farm. To family and friends he was always referred to as "Bud". He came to Novato in 1937 with his wife Barbara and son John where he farmed at Ignacio for Cal Pack Corp. on land that is now Bell Marin Keys. During WW II, he trained as a machinist and worked at McClelland Air Force Base making repair parts for aircraft. Bud then served as a wheeled vehicle instructor in the U.S. Army until the war ended. In 1946 the family moved to Petaluma. He worked at the Del Pantano Ranch, now the Novato Airport. For a time, he was co-owner of a dragline operation, dredging and building levies for many ranches in the Novato/Petaluma area. Returning to Novato in 1957, he worked for Marin County Mosquito Abatement District until retirement as Field Supervisor in 1977. For many years, Bud was a member of the Bay Area Campers and also enjoyed traveling around the USA, especially the red rock area of Utah. Predeceasing Bud were his wife Barbara Ellen (1999), son John (1988) and daughter Ellen Jeanette Sobczak (Adam) (2006). He is survived by his daughter Martha Jane Rucker Beck, daughter-in-law JoAnn Rucker, grandchildren Renee Deorsey (Donald), Judith Hanawalt, Jacalyn Stavish (Joseph), Kevin Klassen (Cyndy), John W. Rucker, Jennifer Graessle (Marc) Cara Schuldt, Douglas Beck, 15 great grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren. Memorial service at Valley Memorial Park, 650 Bugeia Lane, August 2, 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice of Petaluma, 416 Payran St., Petaluma 94952.