Thomas Jerry Rucker

Thomas was born on July 24, 1941, in Kanas City, MO to Thomas and Bertha Rucker. He was the eldest child of seven children, Donald, Larry, Reahlene, Anita, John, and Ruby. He was called home on June 22, 2023.

Thomas, known by his friends as "T-Bone Rucker," attended Lincoln High School in Kansas City, MO. Following high school, he joined the United States Army on June 29, 1956 and was honorably discharged July 12, 1958. After he served in the army, Thomas was a resident of California for many years; there, he developed his trades in union roofing and construction. In the 1990s, he moved back to his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri where his family and childhood friends remained and continued to pursue a career in roofing up until retirement. This is where he met Bobbie Toson and raised a grandson, Isiah. During his retirement, he enjoyed working at Sunlight Missionary Baptist Church as a volunteer in the food pantry.

Thomas was known as “grandpa” to the youth of his community at Parvin Estates in North Kansas City Missouri. He would also dedicate quality time to the elders of his family and nearby communities by providing home aid care including but not limited to, prescription pick up, appointment drop off, household chores, and companionship.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Bertha Rucker; his children, Shelley Robinson and Lashele Mayfield; and his siblings, Donald, Larry, Anita, and Ruby Rucker. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his domestic partner, Bobbie Toson; four children, Kelley Rucker, Syreta Toson, Lilia Toson (Fentress Fulton) of Brooklyn, New York, and Martin Mayfield (Anitra Mayfield) of Los Angeles, California; ten grandchildren, Ashley, Jalisa, Earnest, Jacquari, Jasmine, Isiah, Malcolm, Naomi, Christian, Morgan; three great-grandchildren, Adasia, Kartez, Jacquari Jr.; two sisters, Reahlene Ingram, Carolyn Rucker-Scott by way of Duluth Georgia; one brother, John Rucker (Candi), and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

A visitation will be held starting at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at Drexel Hall, 3301 Baltimore, Kansas City, MO 64111, followed by a memorial service with military honors at 11:00 a.m. Private inurnment at a later date. Condolences may be offered at www.mcgilleymidtownchapel.com.