Rucker, William Michael 'Mike'

William Michael “Mike” Rucker, 71, died peacefully Sept. 2, 2012, at his home at 6559 Comares Ave., Milton, Fla., from natural causes following a recently diagnosed illness.

He was born July 19, 1941, in Belle Plaine, Iowa, and grew up in Marion. Mike attended Marion High School, where he excelled as a three-sport athlete playing on conference championship teams in football, basketball and track. He graduated in 1959. Following graduation he joined the U.S. Navy in 1960, serving from 1960 to 1966.

He was trained as an air sonarman helicopter crewman and assigned to Helicopter Squadron 6 (HS-6) aboard the Antisubmarine Warfare Carrier U.S.S. Kearsarge, CVS-33. He later was cross-trained in underwater demolition. His ship participated in three Western Pacific deployments during our early involvement in Vietnam. He participated in combat support and special operations missions during each of those deployments. In May 1963, he was selected as one of the three recovery swimmers who recovered Gordon Cooper's Faith 7 Mercury spacecraft following its return to the Pacific.

After leaving the U.S. Navy, he returned to Marion, married, had two children, and enjoyed a long career in electronic sales. Mike also lived in Evergreen, Colo., Honolulu, Hawaii and Novato, Calif., where he held executive management and sales positions in security solutions and building products. While in Novato, he met and married Jean Sinkus. They settled and lived many happy years in their beach front home in Milton, Fla., outside of Pensacola.

Mike was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. He enjoyed everything outdoors. especially fishing, sailing, kayaking and many sports; along with his OES puppy, Bandit.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William H. and Frances S. Rucker.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Rucker; their four children, Kerri Sinkus-Reyes of Novato, Calif., Christine Stulak of Friendswood, Texas, Christopher (Connie) Sinkus of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., and David Rucker of Pennsylvania; his brother, Steven Rucker (Dianna) of Monticello, Iowa; nine grandchildren, Jonathon, Christopher, Courtney, Camille, Stephanie, Kori, Cato, Aaron and Tabitha; and one great-grandchild, Jocelynn.

Mike had a deep love of his country and his family. He will be missed by all who loved him.

In keeping with his request, Mike will be buried at sea in the Pacific Ocean by the U.S. Navy to join his squadron and shipmates who were lost there and never recovered.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like friends to make donations to a charity of their choice.

Trahan Family Funeral Home, Pensacola, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.

Published Sept. 9, 2012 in The Gazette