Source: http://www.heritagegardensfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/sites/herita3/memsol.cgi?user_id=1380117

James P. “Jim” Ruckel
October 4, 1951 - August 20, 2014

James Plew “Jim” Ruckel, 62, of Niceville, Florida, passed away on August 20, 2014 surrounded by family and friends. He was born on October 4, 1951 in Valparaiso, Florida. He attended Valparaiso Elementary School and graduated from Greenville High School in Greenville, TX. He attended college at East Texas State University in Commerce, TX.

Jim owned a clothing store in Austin, TX before returning to Florida where he became a construction contractor. He earned his real estate broker's license and worked for Ruckel Properties from 1979-2012, the last seven years of which he was president. His contributions to the company include development work on commercial and residential projects including Shirk's Bayou Estates, Dana Point, Indian Shores, Forest Lake, Rocky Bayou Country Club Estates, Fairway Woods, Heritage Gardens Cemetery & Funeral Home, Swift Creek, a Tom Thumb convenience store complex, Hawk's Landing, and laying the groundwork for an upcoming 1100-acre project. In June of 2012, the Board of Directors of Ruckel Properties bestowed upon Jim the title President Emeritus for his many years of service. Jim was inducted into the Niceville-Valparaiso Rotary Club in 1998; he was a past Rotary Club president and assistant district governor. He was also a member and past president of the Military Affairs Committee of the Niceville-Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce.

Jim loved country music and playing guitar; he was a huge fan of Willie Nelson and Elvis. He was a car enthusiast and an avid outdoorsman, who loved to hunt, fish, and play golf. He enjoyed scuba diving in Florida, hunting in Alabama and Canada, and traveling in the Rocky Mountains, especially to his second home in Colorado. He enjoyed learning about the history of the Old West and watching westerns on television. He was proud and overjoyed about the birth of his grandson, Waylon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Walter “Walt” Ruckel, Jr. and Gilda Meaut Barber, and son Jason Christopher Ruckel.

He is survived by his sons Howard Madison Ruckel (Kelli) of Charleston, SC and James Plew “Jamie” Ruckel, Jr. of Fort Walton Beach, FL; grandson Waylon Ruckel of Charleston, SC; siblings Chuck Ruckel (Molly) of Lucas, TX; Greg Ruckel (Rose) of Alto, NM; Steve Ruckel (Rhonda) of Niceville, FL; Marty Ruckel (Phyllis) of Niceville, FL; Marion Ruckel Skalicky (Andre) of Niceville, FL; Sharon Ruckel of Athens, GA; Phil Ruckel of College Station, TX; longtime girlfriend Lynda Anderson of Niceville, FL; stepfather Col. William Barber of Gulfport, MS; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.