In Memory Of
John Rucker
1942
2018
John Rucker
March 17, 1942 — October 2, 2018
With great sadness, we the family of John Edward Rucker announce his passing at 2:00 A.M. on October 2, 2018 at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, N.Y.
Our brother John, born on February 17, 1942, was a longtime resident of Rensselaer, N.Y. At the time of his transition, he resided in the Kingsway Community located at 5000 Queen Philomena Boulevard, Schenectady, N.Y.
At Van Rensselaer High School, Columbia Basin College (Pasco, WA.), the University of Idaho, and during a 13 year pro basketball career in the French National League, he was an exceptionally gifted athlete: a perennial MVP.
In his French National League pro basketball debut, told by his coach that 15 points a game wouldn't cut it, he went out on the court and scored 46 points. John is a 2013 inductee into the Upstate New York Basketball Hall of Fame.
After retiring from basketball he returned Stateside and taught in the Rensselaer City School District while also serving on the Board of Directors for the Rensselaer Boys and Girls Clubs.
He was active in the community, making financial donations to a number of Capital District area charitable organizations and churches.
For several years John worked as a Resident Hall Director for the State University of New York at Albany, followed by a decade long career as a supervisor in the Office Of Diversity and Inclusion for the State of New York.
An avid sportsman and active traveler, his hobbies included cycling, ballroom dancing, and cruising. His extensive travel spanned the globe, taking him to each the world's seven continents.
John was predeceased by his parents, Winford and Orlean Rucker as well as his brother Winford Rucker, Jr. He is survived by sister Marcia Chandler, brothers Bill (Mittie) Rucker, Ronald (Yoko) Rucker, Roger Rucker, Garland Rucker, Maurice Rucker, and sister Antonia (Samuel) Brown. John is also survived by forty-two loving nieces and nephews, for whom he had always been a faithful supporter and an exemplary role model. He lived a significant life.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 7, 2018 at 6:00 P.M. in Wilborn Temple Church of God in Christ, 121 Jay Street, Albany, N.Y
Our brother John, born on February 17, 1942, was a longtime resident of Rensselaer, N.Y. At the time of his transition, he resided in the Kingsway Community located at 5000 Queen Philomena Boulevard, Schenectady, N.Y.
At Van Rensselaer High School, Columbia Basin College (Pasco, WA.), the University of Idaho, and during a 13 year pro basketball career in the French National League, he was an exceptionally gifted athlete: a perennial MVP.
In his French National League pro basketball debut, told by his coach that 15 points a game wouldn't cut it, he went out on the court and scored 46 points. John is a 2013 inductee into the Upstate New York Basketball Hall of Fame.
After retiring from basketball he returned Stateside and taught in the Rensselaer City School District while also serving on the Board of Directors for the Rensselaer Boys and Girls Clubs.
He was active in the community, making financial donations to a number of Capital District area charitable organizations and churches.
For several years John worked as a Resident Hall Director for the State University of New York at Albany, followed by a decade long career as a supervisor in the Office Of Diversity and Inclusion for the State of New York.
An avid sportsman and active traveler, his hobbies included cycling, ballroom dancing, and cruising. His extensive travel spanned the globe, taking him to each the world's seven continents.
John was predeceased by his parents, Winford and Orlean Rucker as well as his brother Winford Rucker, Jr. He is survived by sister Marcia Chandler, brothers Bill (Mittie) Rucker, Ronald (Yoko) Rucker, Roger Rucker, Garland Rucker, Maurice Rucker, and sister Antonia (Samuel) Brown. John is also survived by forty-two loving nieces and nephews, for whom he had always been a faithful supporter and an exemplary role model. He lived a significant life.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 7, 2018 at 6:00 P.M. in Wilborn Temple Church of God in Christ, 121 Jay Street, Albany, N.Y
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Rucker, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Sunday, October 7, 2018
Starts at 6:00 pm (Eastern time)
Wilborn Temple Church of God
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