OXFORD – Ronald L. Rucker, 60, died at Community Health Partners Hospital, Sunday, April 13, 2008 after a long illness.
Born Nov. 18, 1947 in Norwich, Ron resided in Oxford for most of his young adult life. After graduating from Oxford High School in 1966, he went on to attend Whitworth Technical College in Massachusetts, earning an Associates Degree in 1967 and then on to Boston University to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1969. Ron was immediately employed by IBM in Endicott. He later transferred to IBM in Cleveland where he worked as the human resource director for over 15 years. Ron has served both God and his community well. In 1986, he worked as a job developer for the Lorain County Urban League, Elyria. He later founded and became the executive director of the Midnight Basketball League of Lorain County, until 1998. He then started his company, CommTech Computer Consulting, Inc., where he served as CEO until 2000. He had also received many notable service awards and honors including:  Graduate Leadership Lorain County - Class of 1989 and the National Association for Community Leadership Distinguished Leadership Award, 1993. His civic and board affiliations include: Junior Achievement, Elyria City Schools Affirmative Action, Lorain County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, City of Elyria Civil Service Commission, Lorain County Correctional Planning Board, City of Elyria Task Force to Recruit Minority Police and Fire Fighters, “Shoes For Kids” – Lorain County and Erie Shores Girl Scout Council.
Ron was a humble man who genuinely cared about the well-being of all people and worked tirelessly helping others to reach their potential. He was a great role model, and a very loving husband, father, son and brother. He possessed a warm, polite and friendly disposition. Although his presence will be missed tremendously by many, the fruit of his labor will continue to bless many for years to come.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ernon Rucker and leaves to cherish his precious memory; his wife, Mariam Henderson-Rucker; sons, Nickolaus R. and Joshua H. Henderson of Lorain; daughter, Renee E.  Rucker of  Wheaton, Maryland; mother, Julia B. Rucker, Oxford; brother, Dwight Rucker, Nashville, Tennessee; and a host of family and friends.
Committal services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the family plot in Riverview Cemetery, Oxford. Friends may meet at the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford, at 1:30 p.m. to proceed to the cemetery. Following the committal friends are invited to a reception at the United Church of Oxford Chapel, 27 Main St., Oxford.