James Nick Rucker, Sr.

Mr. James "Nick" Manzo Rucker Sr., 63, of Statesville, passed away Sunday, January 22, 2017 in a car accident in Statesville, NC. Nick was born April 4, 1953 in Statesville, NC to the late Llewellyn Manzo Rucker and Elizabeth Caldwell Rucker. He was a graduate of Statesville Senior High and on June 23, 1972 married Patricia Ann Cowan Rucker, who survives. Together they journeyed to Bronx, New York where Nick went on to earn his degree in Environmental Services from Brooklyn College. He retired from Albert Einstein Hospital and College of Medicine later known as Jack D. Wielder Hospital where he worked as an expeditor for over 20 years. After transitioning from New York in 1991, he served as Department Head Supervisor at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in the Environmental Services Department. Nick rounded out his career at Dana Corporation in Statesville and at Walmart in Charlotte, NC. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Perlie R. Coleman and Nancy J. Rucker and one brother, Frank C. Rucker. He was a member of Mt. Carmel Lodge # 37 Masonic Lodge. Nick enjoyed fishing, bowling and he was a huge lifetime fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He cherished his three children and had boundless and infinite love for his grandchildren. Along with his wife, he is survived by one sister, Joyce R. McCall of Statesville, NC; son James Rucker Jr. and wife, Brooke of Waxhaw, NC; daughter Sarah Rucker of Charlotte, NC; son David Rucker of Raleigh, NC; seven grandchildren, Destiny Gray, James Rucker III, Jayden Rucker, Jastin Ikard, Jordan Rucker, Jade Rucker, Kinley Rucker; special friends, Thomas and Linda Feimster of Dallas, TX and Artis Felton Brown on Troutman, NC; and a host of beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2pm, Saturday Jan. 28, 2017 at Christian Outreach Church. The family will green friends for one hour prior to the service at the church and burial will follow at Iredell Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be sent online to the family to www.nicholsonfunerals.com. Memorials may be given to the Christian Outreach Church, 1424 Rickert St., Statesville, N.C. 28677. Nicholson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.