Rev. Allen “Tommy” Rucker of First Baptist Church in Dunkerton, Iowa, shocked his congregation by committing suicide last week behind his parsonage, according to The Christian Post. Rucker was described as a “godly man” who “read the Bible constantly,” a jovial and popular pastor who also ran the AWANA Club for kids in his church. Local police confirmed that Rucker died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, and there was “nothing suspicious” about the death.
An elder in Rucker’s church said he had participated in an elder’s meeting the night before and seemed fine with “no indication that anything was wrong at all.” The local elementary school has provided counselors to help the kids in Rucker’s AWANA club deal with his death.
According to his church webpage, Rucker had been happily married to his wife Kay since 1981 and they were proud grandparents. An investigation concerning Rucker’s motive is ongoing.
