Jerry Rucker was born in Globe Arizona and moved to San Bernardino, CA six months later. After attending San Bernardino Valley College, he joined the United States Army and became a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne division stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He rose to the rank of Sergeant in the Military Intelligence branch of the 2nd Brigade. He was awarded the Army commendation medal and then Good conduct medal. After 3½ years he returned to San Bernardino California and graduated from California State University at San Bernardino. He then received a Masters degree from Azusa Pacific University and became a teacher in the Rialto Unified School District. He was site administrator for 26 of his 32 years retiring as a school principal. He served 20 years as a member of the Rialto Child Assistance Board of Directors providing food, clothing and toys for needy families. He was President of this organization for 19 years. He also served 2 years as a member of the Administrative Advisory committee for the Department of Education at Cal State San Bernardino.

He joined the San Bernardino Elks Lodge No. 836 at the age of 21. His father, PDDGER Ray Rucker Sr., was his sponsor. He served on many committees at his lodge and after going through the chairs he served as Exalted Ruler in 1984-85. After being district chairman of many committees he was selected as Vice President of the Southeast District in 1989-90 and as DDGER in 1990-91. He served the State Association Vice Chairman of the Piggy Bank Committee and Vice Chairman of the Elks Restoration Trust Committee. He served six years as a member of the California Hawaii Elks Major Project Board of Directors with one year as Chairman. He has been the District leader of the Southeast District for the past 12 years. He also has served as the Grand Lodge Convention Coordinator for the past 12 years.

He has been married to his lovely wife Bonnie for the past 25 years.