Larkin Gene Rucker

Larkin Gene Rucker, Sr., 86, passed away Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center after a long illness.Born, July 17, 1931 in Pageton, WV. He was the son of the late James D. and Mary Price Rucker.He attended McDowell County Schools and graduated in 1949. He then worked in the West Virginia coal mines for two years, from 1950 to 1952. After his work in the coal mines, he enlisted in the United States Army for two years and participated in the Korean War on “Papa son Hill” and “Keely Hill”. He attended Bluefield State College from 1954 to 1956, graduating in three years with honors. There, he was a part of the football team playing the Center and Middle guard positions. He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Physical Education. He attended West Virginia University from 1959 until 1960 and graduated Cum Laude with a Masters degree in Education. His first employment opportunity after attending college was at Lakin State Hospital as a Recreation Therapist (His wife Margaret was employed there as an Occupational Therapist with him at that time). He later was employed at Bluefield State College as a Physical Education Instructor. He served as the Assistant Football Coach from 1968 to 1969 as well as being the Head Men’s Basketball coach. He retired from Bluefield State in 1996. He was also a certified CPR instructor and conducted training in several counties in Southern West Virginia. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He attended Mount Zion Baptist Church where he had served as a Deacon, Trustee and Sunday School Superintendent.He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Margaret Ann Pollard Rucker, son Melvin Price Rucker, parents James and Mary Rucker, grandparents Larkin and Harriet Johnson Rucker, brothers, James Rucker, Thomas Rucker and Raymond Rucker. Sisters, Ruby Rucker, Dorothy Poe, Sadie Watkins, Alma Hagwood and Harriet Burrell.Survivors include, sons, Larkin Rucker, Jr. of Bluefield, WV, and Louis (Ramona) Rucker of Florissant, MO. Daughters, Mary Rucker of Greensboro, NC and Delores Rucker of Bluefield, WV. He also leaves three cherished grandsons, Darius, Dimitri, and DeVaughn Rucker, all of Florrisant, MO and many treasured nieces and nephews.Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Bluefield, West Virginia with Rev. James Plamer III. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Princeton, West Virginia where nephews and friends will be serving as pallbearers. The Rucker family will be receiving friends and family on Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. (Noon) at the church.