RUCKER, Kenneth James (Ken)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Tuesday, October 04, 2011 Kenneth James Rucker, 70, formerly of Prescott, Ariz., died at Hospice of the Valley in Sun City, Ariz., surrounded by loving family on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011. Ken was born in Gary, Ind. on Nov. 22, 1940 to Kenneth Paul and Margaret Bridget (McWilliams) Rucker. He graduated from Chesterton High School in 1958 and Indiana University in 1962, and received master's degrees from the University of Illinois and Arizona State University. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, brother Donald who died in 1938 and brother-in-law Robert Hensel who died on Feb. 25, 1990. Ken is survived by his four children Michael (Karen) of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; Kal (Katy) of Arvada, Colo.; Gretchen (Dr. Chris Bettner) of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Elizabeth (Dr. Steve Yung) of San Diego, Calif. He is also survived by eight grandchildren (soon to be nine) and three siblings, Patricia (Robert) Hensel of Paris, Ky.; Richard (Cynthia) of Sun City West, Ariz.; and Jerilynn (Thom) Dixon of Indianapolis, Ind. After a brief career in teaching, Ken was in the insurance business in Valparaiso, Ind., and South Bend, Ind., before moving to Prescott. His many interests included history, family genealogy and baseball. Ken most recently ran the AAA Z-Coil Pain Relief Shoes store in Prescott. Ken was active in his Manzanita Village housing community and the Unity Church in Prescott. Ken chose to have his body donated to ScienceCare Anatomical. A memorial will be 4:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at the West Valley Center for Spiritual Living in Peoria, Ariz. Donations to the American Cancer Society in Ken's name are appreciated. Information provided by survivors.