Doc Edward Rucker

Tahlequah, OK- Memorial services for Doc Edward Rucker will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, February 7th, 2014 at the Reed-Culver Chapel with Reverend Buddy Hunt and Rendy Rucker-Mattler officiating. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.reedculver.com. Honorary pallbearers for Doc include Jesus Guzman, Robert Mattler, Jerry Hastings, Doyle Felts, Mike Daniels, David Millican, Butch Renfro, Billy Bob Hayes, Sherman Hayes, and Alan Steely.

Doc Edward Rucker, the son of Jack Powers and Rena Mae (Cookson) Rucker, was born on September 22nd, 1949. He graduated from high school and attended NSU, where he was a member of the Phi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity. He married the love of his life, Janice Elaine Johnson, on November 21st, 1971 at the First Baptist Church of Tahlequah, OK. This union was blessed with 43 years of memories and two daughters, Rebecca and Rendy.

A lover of the outdoors, Doc spent his days as a cattle and turkey rancher on the DX Ranch. During his free time, Doc enjoyed fishing for bass, competing in fishing tournaments, and deer hunting. He loved to shoot and held a State Champion Skeet Shooting record. Doc was a member of the River Rangers and the Cherokee County Sheriffs Reserve Office. Doc’s wonderful sense of humor, clever pranks, and “white lie” stories always had a way of sparking laughter among his family and friends. Doc always hung out with the Saturday Football Club in the fall. Music of all types held a special meaning for Doc and he was often heard listening to songs from the 50’s and 60’s. He had a special place in his heart for children, and those that visited the house were given a nickname and a heckling, and best of all, his attention and time.

The most cherished aspect of Doc’s life was his family. He adored his wife, the apples of his eye, Rebecca and Rendy, and his little princesses, Aubrey and Jincy. They were all he needed in life to be happy. Doc adored his son-in-laws, and thought the world of his brilliant daughters and precious granddaughters. He spent his last years in the comfort of his house in town, cracking jokes and warming the hearts of his many visitors. He passed from this life to his eternal rest on Tuesday, February 4th, 2014 in Tahlequah, OK. Those lucky enough to be called his friend and his many family members will miss this wonderful, funny and loving man.
 He is preceded in death by his father and grandparents.

Those left to cherish Doc’s memory include his loving wife, Jan and his mother, Rena Mae Rucker of Tahlequah. He leaves his two adored daughters and their husbands, Rebecca Guzman and her husband Jesus of Broken Arrow, OK, and Rendy Mattler and her husband Robert of Chewey, OK. He leaves two sisters, Cyndi Jackson and husband Vann of Broken Arrow, OK and Deborah Rucker of Qualls, OK. His legacy lives on in his two special granddaughters, Aubrey Edwards of Broken Arrow, OK and Jincy Mattler of Chewey, OK,and his special grandson, Daniel Guzman of Potomac, Maryland, as well as his nieces, Haleigh Jackson of Bristow, OK, Shelby Jackson of Brooklyn, NY, and nephew, Jacob Ballard of Qualls, OK. He leaves many cousins, extended family and a host of friends and loved ones. Those wanting to extend their sympathies are asked to consider a donation to Tahlequah Public Schools, Attn: Special Olympics, P.O. Box 517, Tahlequah, OK 74465.