Mr. Rucker was born Feb. 27, 1952, in Madison, Tenn., the son of John B. and Earlene (Carnes) Rucker.

Mr. Rucker was a park ranger at Lake Perry where he worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He had worked at Lake Perry for the past 24 years.

He was a 1975 graduate of Kansas University with biology, psychology and English degrees. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, the National Audubon Society, the Sierra Club and the Cordley Parent-Teacher Organization.

He married Roseanne Smith on July 23, 1985, in Lawrence. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include two daughters; Genevieve Rucker and Sarah Rucker, both of the home; his mother, Topeka; and a brother, Robert Rucker, South San Francisco, Calif.

A rosary prayer service will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

The family suggests memorials to the Jayhawk Audubon Society or the church, sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.