George Donald “Don” Rucker, M.D. passed peacefully on May 19, 2026 after a battle with pneumonia at age 88. Don was born in Nashville TN on January 1, 1938, the only child of Louise and George Rucker. His father worked as an engineer for a national engineering company which required the family to relocate frequently. As a result, Don lived in eighteen locations before the age of 18. Some of his favorites being: Oak Ridge TN, where his father worked on the Manhattan Project, Deming, NM where he spent his time at the May Ranch riding horses and exploring the terrain with the May children, Wenatchee, WA, where he first snow skied and where he picked apples as a summer job and Baton Rouge, LA where he attended Istrouma high school, which he credited with helping him overcome the fragmented education he had received up to that point. The family finally settled in Natchitoches, LA in 1955 where Don attended Northwestern State University. While at Northwestern, he met his eventual wife and the love of his life, Joy Cole, marrying in 1961. The two had three children, Don Jr., Lori and Amy.
After finishing his undergraduate degree at Northwestern, Don earned a masters of bacteriology there. He then decided to attend medical school at LSU in New Orleans. He eventually completed a residency in ophthalmology and practiced for 32 years, retiring early at the age of 61 to be able to travel and see the world.
His absolute favorite hobby and passion was tennis which he first took up at age 18. He played competitively into his seventies and recreationally until just a few months ago, totaling over 70 years of play. He never gave up on trying to improve his game. He was an accomplished player and he made many wonderful friends through tennis at home and around the country.
Don had a very strong faith in the Lord which was a central part of his life. Always kind, positive and faithful, he set a wonderful example as a father and a husband. He was very loved and will be very dearly missed.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Joy Rucker and his parents George and Louise Rucker. Left to cherish his memory are his three children: Don Rucker and wife Wendy, Lori Rosenthal and husband Trey, and Amy Johnson and husband Webster. In addition, he is also survived by his seven grandchildren: Lindsay Ramsay and husband Paul, Ragan Terzia and husband Cole, Peyton Rucker and wife Ainsley, Benjamin Rosenthal, Hadley Rosenthal, Jacob Rosenthal and Sarah Johnson as well as seven great grandchildren..
Visitation will be held at First Baptist Shreveport, 543 Ockley Dr, Shreveport, LA 71106, on May 24, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, followed by a Celebration of Life at 4:00 pm.
Don will be laid to rest at Centuries Memorial Park, 8801 Mansfield Rd, Shreveport, in the Privilege Monument Garden, Lot 3, Space 3.
