Jerald
Jerald Rucker
d. February 16, 2016
Jerald Juan Rucker (Jerry), 84, died Tuesday, February 16, 2016. Born November 5, 1931 in Lexington, KY, and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was the son of the late Smith Braun Rucker and Anna Lee Rose Rucker.
He graduated from Anderson Township High School, Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lettered in varsity football, baseball, and track; and was active in other sports and school clubs. A varsity football team player as a freshman, he was team captain as a senior.
On August 31, 1957, Jerry married Sylvia Mary Bratfish. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (1957) from the University of Cincinnati. He then earned a Master of Science (1963) and did doctoral work at the University of Illinois.
He moved to Athens, Georgia in 1960 to become a Marketing Professor in the College of Business at The University of Georgia. During his 26 years at UGA he was Marketing Department Assistant Chairman, Director of the Northeast Georgia Small Business Development Center and faculty advisor to the Marketing Club, Advertising Club, Beta Gamma Sigma, Alpha Kappa Psi, and Pi Sigma Epsilon. A true student's professor, he assisted students in many ways.
After retiring from the University of Georgia, he was a Marketing Director at Oconee State Bank, S.C.O.R.E. advisor to small businesses, and a courtesy driver at Heyward Allen Motors.
He was a Korean War U.S. Navy veteran, serving on several aircraft carriers; a Scottish Rite member of Mt. Vernon Masonic Lodge, Athens, Georgia; and an active member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church since 1962.
Preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Sylvia Mary Bratfish Rucker, his parents, and sister June Itin (Robert).
Survived by daughter Leslie L. Rucker, Athens, Georgia; sisters-in-law Lois Radel, Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Beverly Bratfish (James), Cincinnati, Ohio; cousin Jody Wright (Stephanie), Watkinsville, Georgia; 7 nieces and nephews; and many great nieces/nephews.
Funeral services 2pm Saturday, February 27, 2016, at Chapelwood United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Athens Memory Gardens. Memorials may be made to Chapelwood Methodist Church, 100 Janice Drive, Athens, GA 30606. The family will receive friends Friday, February 26, 2016 from 6-8pm at Lord and Stephens, EAST. www.lordandstephens.com
He graduated from Anderson Township High School, Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lettered in varsity football, baseball, and track; and was active in other sports and school clubs. A varsity football team player as a freshman, he was team captain as a senior.
On August 31, 1957, Jerry married Sylvia Mary Bratfish. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (1957) from the University of Cincinnati. He then earned a Master of Science (1963) and did doctoral work at the University of Illinois.
He moved to Athens, Georgia in 1960 to become a Marketing Professor in the College of Business at The University of Georgia. During his 26 years at UGA he was Marketing Department Assistant Chairman, Director of the Northeast Georgia Small Business Development Center and faculty advisor to the Marketing Club, Advertising Club, Beta Gamma Sigma, Alpha Kappa Psi, and Pi Sigma Epsilon. A true student's professor, he assisted students in many ways.
After retiring from the University of Georgia, he was a Marketing Director at Oconee State Bank, S.C.O.R.E. advisor to small businesses, and a courtesy driver at Heyward Allen Motors.
He was a Korean War U.S. Navy veteran, serving on several aircraft carriers; a Scottish Rite member of Mt. Vernon Masonic Lodge, Athens, Georgia; and an active member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church since 1962.
Preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Sylvia Mary Bratfish Rucker, his parents, and sister June Itin (Robert).
Survived by daughter Leslie L. Rucker, Athens, Georgia; sisters-in-law Lois Radel, Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Beverly Bratfish (James), Cincinnati, Ohio; cousin Jody Wright (Stephanie), Watkinsville, Georgia; 7 nieces and nephews; and many great nieces/nephews.
Funeral services 2pm Saturday, February 27, 2016, at Chapelwood United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Athens Memory Gardens. Memorials may be made to Chapelwood Methodist Church, 100 Janice Drive, Athens, GA 30606. The family will receive friends Friday, February 26, 2016 from 6-8pm at Lord and Stephens, EAST. www.lordandstephens.com
Visitation Details
Friday, February 26th, 2016 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Lord and Stephens, WEST
Service Details
Chapelwood United Methodist Church
Interment Details
Athens Memory Gardens
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