Rukin Jelks
October 21, 1927 – January 12, 2014
J. Rukin “Rukie” Jelks, 86, passed away January 12 in Tucson, where he was born on October 21, 1927. He grew up on the family’s X-9 Ranch in the Rincon Mountains of his beloved Arizona. He graduated with degrees in anthropology and sociology from the University of Montana. While in college he met the love of his life, Carolyn “Keri” Gillett. When the couple came to Arizona, Rukin became a dynamite salesman for Hercules Powder Company in Phoenix. His territory included all of Arizona, Imperial County in California, Clark County in Nevada, and even far off Hidalgo in central Mexico.
Eventually he and his wife bought a ranch and 80 acres of land in Lyle Canyon near Elgin. The ranch, which he operated with his sons and their loyal ranch foreman, Joe Quiroga, was named the Diamond C.
In the 1940s, he built a house that would become the cornerstone of Rillito Downs racetrack. The Sonoran Revival hacienda was one of Arizona’s first burnt adobe homes. The home eventually became a stud farm, and Rukin built Rillito Downs in his backyard. It was the first quarter horse track in the United States and as of 2013 was listed for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
Rukin is survived by Keri, his beloved wife of 62 years; three sons and their wives; and 10 precious grandchildren.
A memorial servce, “Remembering Rukin,” will be held at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds on Saturday, February 15 at 1 p.m.