OVERBROOK, Kan. – David L. Rukes, 76, of Overbrook, Kan., passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, at Stormont Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kan. He was born Dec. 29, 1945, in Ottawa, Kan., the son of Albert Rukes and Elinor Baldwin.
He was a fantastic athlete and lettered in many sports in high school and then matriculated at Emporia State University. While attending Emporia State University, David founded a local fraternity, Beta Sigma Tau, that eventually joined with the Phi Delta Theta National Fraternity. He had many fond memories of the founding, and was thankful for the opportunity to reconnect with fraternity brothers and be initiated into Phi Delta Theta in recent years.
Prior to graduation at ESU, David decided to join the United States Air Force in 1968. He served briefly in Guam, and after being honorably discharged, moved to Texas to start a family and his career in construction. David worked for a number of construction companies throughout his career and retired in 2008. He had two sons and three grandsons and he loved rooting for them from the stands just as much as quietly fishing on the edge of a pond. He was always interested in having fun things to do with his boys.
David enjoyed life. He loved getting out of the house and enjoying good food, drinks, and company. He was quick to crack a joke and always wanted his friends to have a good time in his presence. He really enjoyed watching sports and especially enjoyed rooting for the Jayhawks and the Chiefs.
Surviving family includes his mother, Elinor Baldwin, of Overbrook; two sons, Brad Rukes and his wife, Kathy, Wichita, Kan., and Jason Rukes and his wife, Lori, Sonoma, Calif.; and three grandsons, Jackson, Ethan and Lucas Rukes, all of Wichita.
David was preceded in death by his father, Albert Rukes.
To celebrate David’s life, a funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Brookside Retirement Community, 700 Seventh St., Overbrook. Interment will follow at the Overbrook Cemetery, Overbrook. The family will receive friends 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Brookside Retirement Community.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Emporia State Foundation to the Sound and Learning Fund, and sent in care of Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, PO Box 268, Overbrook, KS 66524. Condolences can be left at www.lamb-roberts.com.
