Charles "Buster" Rucker Sr.

Charles “Buster” Walter Rucker Sr., age 76, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday November 8, 2022 early afternoon in his home in North Fort Myers, Florida. He will be laid to rest at Lee Memorial Park Cemetery on Monday November 21, 2022 with Military Honors.

LIFE

Buster was born in Painesville, Ohio September 6, 1946, the first child of Charles “Chuck” and Beatrice “Betty” (Barstow) Rucker. He had some serious medical complications as a baby and was raised for a time by his Grandparents Emma “Buster” (Judd) and Walter Barstow. He was the oldest of 4 boys. In 1960, at age 13 his family moved to Fort Myers, Florida where he attended Junior High and Fort Myers Senior High School. In his youth, he was a competitive Roller Skater, participated in youth baseball leagues, and enjoyed bowling. Before graduating Senior High in 1964, he began working at The Arcade Theater in Historic Downtown Fort Myers. This is where he was introduced to the love of his life, Mary Jane Heinkel, who worked at the sister theater, The Edison Theater. They both often told the story of their whirlwind romance when he proposed within two weeks of meeting her, at which she laughed but eventually accepted. Two years later, they were married on October 10, 1965 at an intimate ceremony at Buster’s parents’ house. Soon after, they moved to Ft. Riley, Kansas when Buster joined the army. He was quickly sent to Vietnam during the war which was a hard time in both of their lives. After his time of service over seas, Buster and Mary Jane moved to Fort Benning, Georgia for 16 months before moving back home to North Fort Myers where he was a mechanic. In 1971, while Buster worked at the Shell Factory, the couple had their first child, a son, Charles ‘Chuckie’ Walter. Buster began his decades with the US Postal Service and in 1974 they welcomed their daughter Kimberly Ann, into the world. Soon after, they personally built their house together and within a few years took in their great niece, Season, when she was just a baby. Through the years of being a caring parent, grandparent (Papa), and uncle, Buster has always shown his family his love and devotion. From the birth of his oldest grandchild in 1997, he’s been an ever present and integral part of each of his grandkids’ lives and entertained them for sleepovers with Mammo and Papa every Friday night for 20 years and Friday night dinners at Outback as they aged.

Buster was known for his sense of humor, friendly disposition, big personality, and his love of family. He was always available to make you laugh, come to your aid, and offer guidance. He was always a huge family man, whether it be to his children, grandchildren, younger brothers, nieces and nephews, or friends he considered family; his love was the same, steadfast and accepting with a side of laughter and sarcasm.

Anyone you speak with will tell you that his family meant everything to him and he talked about them often. He showed his love by being involved in their lives in every opportunity possible. For a few years, he was the assistant to his favorite Girl Scout troop leader (his wife), always a coach at the bowling alley, the fan on the sidelines to every kid’s game or practice; a volunteer with the schools, high school band, and bowling organizations his kids and grandkids were in; guest for every school open house; and cheerleader for every award, ceremony, and performance. There wasn’t a time in any of their lives, when he wasn’t there to be a part of their special moments, including being at the hospital for all of their births and getting them all their first car when they started driving. He was this involved for all members of the family, immediate and extended. He even continued to look after Mary Jane’s brother for years after her passing.

Through his dedication to others, he taught his children how to be loving, involved parents, caring members of the community, and to give selflessly to others.

He also taught his family how to enjoy life and laugh often, even at yourself. He was truly a big softy with a heart of gold and wasn’t afraid to show emotion, but often led with joy and humor. His big presence was well recognized and heard when he entered a building. He always had nicknames and jokes on the ready, never missed a chance for light hearted banter. He always gave a wave and a smile, made everyone feel valued and like family, and let you know how much you meant to him. Busters smile and laughter will be greatly missed by so many.

He had a strong love of all things NASCAR, including attending several races each year with his son, grandkids, other family and friends and a vast collection of decades of Tony Stewart and other NASCAR memorabilia. His homes away from home were Headpinz Cape Coral and Coral Lanes, where he enjoyed his other lifelong favorite sport, bowling. He spent many nights of the week bowling in leagues year after year and was a legend in the bowling community. He made the words “Firetruck” and “Peanut Butter” widely well known in the bowling community as acceptable curse word substitutes to a bad frame, dating back decades to his coaching of the youth bowling leagues, of which became common responses of bowlers in our community. On the nights he wasn’t bowling, he was still at the lanes hanging out at the bar with his Bourbon and Coke in a tall glass and supporting his friends and family as they bowled. And each night as he arrived home, he would routinely text dozens of friends and family that he got home safely, so they wouldn’t worry. He formed strong bonds with so many people through his love of bowling and camaraderie.

He loved his routines and was kind of famous for them. The many years he worked as an aid in the school system, he got lunch at Burger King and ordered the same exact meal everyday, so much so that the crew had it ready for him everyday at arrival. He was a daily regular at Perkins, so much of a fixture there that they knew his order by heart and would call if he didn’t show up for breakfast, even invited him to their holiday staff parties. He loved to watch sappy Hallmark movies any time of year (which always made him cry), retro tv shows, and the news in the kitchen everyday while snacking on his favorites (peanut butter, crackers, apple sauce, cucumber slices, and ice cream cups). He took pride in his vehicles and was a regular at the car wash, taking turns babying each and wanted them all to be a form of red in honor of his late wife. After she passed, he painted his prized Camaro he won in a $50 Nascar raffle years earlier. They also all proudly bore his Vietnam Veteran decals and license plates. Everyone who knew him recognized his vehicles anywhere.. He was a huge fan of Karaoke and often sang Garth Brooks’ songs, especially ‘The Thunder Rolls.’ To this day, his family can’t hear that song without memories of him flooding their minds. He repeatedly pressed his luck weekly on the lottery, even leaving instructions for his daughter to buy the tickets when he was gravely sick and hospitalized with covid. He had big dreams of rebuilding his own version of All-Star Lanes, that he missed dearly.

CAREERS AND INVOLVEMENT

Through his lifetime, he had many jobs: The Arcade Theater; The US Army: 9th Infantry Specialist 5 ranking, Army Personnel Clerk, and Truck Driver; Vietnam War Veteran; Mechanic; Shell Factory Supervisor, nearly 3 decades with the US Postal Service as a Supervisor, District Clerk, Registry Clerk, and Mail Distributor/Processor to retirement in 2001; and began a second lengthy career with the Lee County School District as an aid at North Fort Myers High School and then Hector Cafereta Elementary until he retired for a second time in 2016 to be home to care for his ill wife.

He was heavily involved in his community: PTO President at J. Colin Elementary for 8 years, President of the Southwest Florida Young American Bowling Alliance, Volunteer and Equipment Manager/Gator Driver for North Fort Myers High School Marching Band for Decades where they lovingly called him Papa Smurf, Head Coach and Junior Program Director at All Star Lanes, Secretary Treasurer of Southwest Florida Junior Bowling Scholarship Fund, Travel League Coordinator for a tri-county league, president of the Monday and Wednesday night leagues for over 20 years, North Fort Myers High School Girls Varsity Bowling Coach for 10 years, as well as a member of a few bowling and military community organizations.

FAMILY

He is survived by his two children Charles ‘Chuckie’ Rucker and Kimberly (Rucker) Jordan; Son-in-law Joe and grandchildren Paige, Avery, and Jacob; Daughter-in-law Joann, grandson Brandon and step grandchildren Kayla, Austin, Matthew, and Jamie; Great Niece Season Tanner and grandnephew Theo; Honorary son Eric Brounson; Brothers Gary Richard, Lee Alan, and Jay Lynn Rucker; Sisters in law Opal (Heinkel) Marsden & Cecilia Rucker; Nieces Tammy, Sharon, Robbin, Tiffany, Brianne; Nephews George Tanner, Rickie, Lee Jr, Corey, Ian, Brett, Chris, and many other loving family members.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 Earthly years and 56 eternal, Mary Jane (Heinkel) Rucker and parents Charles “Chuck” Obit and Beatrice “Betty” Mae(Barstow) Rucker and grandparents Emma “Buster” (Judd) and Walter Barstow.

SERVICES

A Graveside Funeral Service w/Military Honors will be held for all family and friends Monday, November 21 at 12:00pm at Lee Memorial Park Cemetery, 12777 State Road 82, Fort Myers, FL 33913. Services will be officiated by family friend Dr. Rev. Mark Means.

Celebration of Life services will welcome all on Saturday, December 3rd at 2:00pm at Bowland Cape Coral (Coral Lanes) 42 Mid Cape Terrace, Cape Coral, FL 33991.

(We are asking that attendees wear maroon or a bowling shirt and please bring your bowling gear if you’d like to rent a lane afterwards and bowl in his honor)

APPRECIATIONS

Thank you to Eric Brounson for creating the amazing and touching video tribute and music. Thank you to Robbin Rucker for your abundance of help and support. Thank you to Dr. Rev. Mark Means for providing your services with love. Thank you to Bill Hanson for providing Bowland Cape Coral for Services and Food for our guests. Thank you to Mark, Tara, Amy, Adam, Sally and the rest of the crew at Coral Lanes for your Fundraising efforts and donations to Dad’s Services. Thank you to Dr. Rick Means for your generous donation to Dad’s services and loving care with a side of laughter over the years. Thank you to countless family and friends for the extra love and support you have given us through this very difficult time.

Thank you to everyone for a lifetime of memories you gave Buster and for the love and friendship along the way. Each and everyone of you meant something special to him and he undoubtedly has talked about each of you to us at the end of his busy day.

Dad & Mom,

Thank you for a lifetime of wonderful! We love you so much: then, now, and always.

We are comforted to know you’re now in eternal bliss together.

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard!”…and these have been the hardest of good-byes. Until we meet again, in our dreams. Godspeed!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leememorialparkfuneralhome.com for the Rucker family.