H 4858  Resolution, By King, Rutherford and Norrell
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE
 OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF DR. DOUGLAS AARON "DOC" RUCKER, OF
 LANCASTER AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
View full text
   01/15/20  House  Introduced and adopted (House Journal-page 18)

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF DR. DOUGLAS AARON "DOC" RUCKER, OF LANCASTER AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Douglas Aaron "Doc" Rucker of Lancaster on August 30, 2019, at the venerable age of seventy-nine; and

Whereas, born October 31, 1939, in Honea Path, the son of Ruth Wright Rucker and Aaron Riley Rucker, Douglas graduated from Barr Street High School in 1957. After high school, he earned his undergraduate degree in 1961 from Morehouse College in Atlanta. He continued on to graduate in 1966 from Howard University College of Dentistry; and

Whereas, after completing his studies, he returned to Lancaster to begin his career. He served Carolina Community Action, as part of the Headstart dental program, from 1966 until 1969. That same year, he also opened his private practice, Rucker Dentistry where he was proud to work with his own family and other Howard University College of Dentistry graduates to serve the greater community; and

Whereas, Dr. Rucker was one of Lancaster's most respected business and civic leaders. He was known for being generous with his time, his talents, and the way he could often use a network of connections to help others. As a charter member and past president of the Breakfast Rotary Club, he exemplified the motto "Service above Self"; and

Whereas, Lancaster County school board member Tyrom Faulkner, who remembers Dr. Rucker as a great man and role model, noted "he had a true, genuine love for Lancaster and its people." He went further to say Dr. Rucker was a "very caring person who would give you the shirt off his back," even as he would try to avoid the limelight that might accompany that kind of help; and

Whereas, Dr. Rucker leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife, Ruby King Rucker; children, Douglas Aaron Rucker, Jr., Aaron Riley Rucker (Nichole), Patricia Rucker-McCray, Ruby Rucker Cooper (Ford), Carlton Douglas Rucker (Lori), Ellen Rucker Sellers (Bakari), and Ione Rucker Jamison; his beloved son William Lawrence Rucker preceded him in death (Daffney); bonus son, Columbus "Chris" Parker; grandchildren, Brandon, Skyla, Shaniya, Christina, Journey, Alexis, Ford Jr., Lake, Riley, Layla, Sean, Douglas, Siarra, Kai, Kathryn, Keenan, William, Antwan Jr., Aaron, Rucker, Columbus Jr., Elle, Stokely, and Sadie; beloved aunt, Gladys Rucker Mattison; sisters, Margaret Rucker Sheftall and Patricia Rucker Pangburn; sisters-in-law, Robbie King Jones, Ellen King Ferguson, Patricia E. King, Margie Buckson King, and Joyce Davis King; brothers-in-law, Andrew P. Corley, Louis James and Howard Jones; and a host of other loving relatives and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Dr. Douglas Aaron "Doc" Rucker of Lancaster and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Ruby King Rucker for the family.