Charles O. Rucker

Charles was born January 20, 1925, in Sedalia, Missouri to Ellis and Orma Rucker. After graduating from high school in Sedalia, he served in the U.S. Army, performing in the U.S. Army Band. Upon completing his military service, he graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from Central Missouri State in Warrensburg, where he met and married Frances Armstrong.

The family moved to Lee's Summit in 1957. He worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers his entire career. He began as a cartographer and eventually was promoted to Chief of the Drafting Branch for the Kansas City District. If you have ever enjoyed boating, fishing, or camping at Stockton, Clinton, or Smithville Lakes in Missouri, Melvern or Pomona Lakes in Kansas, or Alma Lake in Nebraska, you have used the maps that his team created.

In his retirement he enjoyed woodcarving. He particularly enjoyed carving ducks and songbirds. He was very proud of his garden and the appearance of his yard.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Harold Rucker. He is survived by his wife, Frances Rucker; his sons, Nolan Rucker of Denver, Colorado, Pete (Nancy) Rucker of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, and Vinse (Merrie) Rucker of Olathe, Kansas; his grandchildren, Andrew (Annie) Rucker, Leslie (John) Parks, Berton Rucker, Cameron Rucker, and Audrie (Isaac) DuBois; and his great-granchildren, William Charles and Holly Rucker.

There will be a viewing at Floral Hills Funeral Home, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri 64133, on Friday, August 17th from 6:00-8:00 p.m.. The burial at Floral Hills East Cemetery in Lee's Summit, Missouri, will be private. There will be a memorial service Saturday, August 25th, at First Baptist Church of Lee's Summit. The family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00 p.m., with the service immediately following.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Lee's Summit, 2 N.E. Douglass St.,Lee's Summit, MO 64063, or the Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City, 7300 W. Park Rd., Blue Springs, Missouri 64015.