Obituary: Tom Ruckman

Longtime Grand Junction resident Robert Thomas (Tom) Ruckman passed away on Dec. 1, 2012, at his home in Prineville, Ore., with his son Tom at his bedside.
Tom was born July 20, 1931, in Lay, Colo., to Alice Marie (Anderson) Ruckman and Morris T. Ruckman, a pioneer family of Meeker, Colo.
Tom was graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1949, then went to work as a heavy equipment operator for the D&RG Railroad where he met his first wife, June Owens. They were married in 1952. They later divorced.
Upon his retirement he left Grand Junction and went to Meeker, Colo., to work at his own cattle ranch. He later left Meeker and went to Oregon where he resided until his death.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Maureen Bockius. He is survived by his wife Betty, his son Tom of American Fork, Utah, daughters Shannon of American Fork, Utah, and Laurie Lavelle, of Carson City, Nev., stepchildren Albert, Debbie and Paul and numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
He is also survived by brothers Bill and Albert of Grand Junction, Colo., and Gary of Arvada, Colo.
Memorial Services will be held at a later date in Prineville, Ore.