Written by Earl Rucker, Jr. prior to passing about his family history:

Born Earl Franklin Rucker, Jr. September 30, 1941 in Mineola, Texas, on North Pacific Street. Our rent house was across the street from the post office and one block from the Piggly Wiggly grocery store and the movie theatre, which cost .09 cents to watch a wastern on Saturday. We were also acreoss the street from the doctors office (which was also in his house). His name was Dr. Buchanan M.D.. I was brought into the world by my grandmother, Jessie Dubberly and Aunt Opal in our house on Pacific Street. The doctor across the street got there just in time to give her the bill; so mother said. 

My mother, Mary Jane Dubberly Rucker was a stay-at-home mother and housewife. My father, Earl Franklin Rucker, Sr. worked for DT&P Railroad Co. I had two sisters that were older than myself, Mary Jane Rucker and Norma Earlene Rucker. 

Earl Franklin Rucker, Jr.

He graduated from Mineola High School in 1960. Married Jaqueline Ruth Kennedy on September 2, 1960. He attended college at East Texas State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Science and a Master's Degree in Agriculture Economics. He taught at Tyler Junior College for 50 years in both the Agriculture and Economics Department. 

He and his wife of 65 years have 3 children, De Ann Rucker Allen, Denny Earl Rucker, and Dena Renee Rucker Morrow. 

He was preceded in death by both of his parents Earl Rucker and Mary Jane Dubberly Rucker, his sisters Mary Jane Rucker Vanderslice and Earlene Rucker Ramey. 

He is survived by his wife Jacqueline Ruth Kennedy Rucker, daughter Dee Ann Rucker Allen (husband David); son Denny Earl Rucker (wife Wendy); and daughter Dena Renee Morrow (husband Danny). He has 10 grandchildren, Macy, Major, Casey, Carson, Ryan, Colby, Morgan, Lacey, Katie, and Jessica. He has 10 great-grandchildren and 1 on the way.

His family was his priority. He loved to visit with each one and was interested in all the things they were involved in. If you dropped by the house, he would always say "come around and sit down awhile and visit, you're not in that big of a hurry".

He was loved by many and will be missed by everyone. 

A visitation will be held at Croley Funeral Home in Hawkins, Texas on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 10 to 11 in the morning with a service to honor Earl starting just after at 11. Interment will follow at Hawkins City Cemetery.