Riley W. Tucker

Tucker, Riley Wetherington, age 95, crossed over on December 24, 2011 to be with the Lord and to reunite with the love of his life, Della Mae. Riley leaves behind a devoted family, sons Riley (wife Shirley) and Harvey, grandchildren Melinda Scaffe, Charis Wheless (husband Brian), Galen McClelland (wife Rebecca) and Meagan Tucker, and great-grandchildren Prescott Scaffe, Mishell Rathel (husband David), Savannah Scaffe, Kristina Wheless, Joseph Wheless, and Olivia McClelland. He also leaves behind cherished friends, the Salzers, the Morins and the folks at Salem Church. Riley was a lifelong resident of Hillsborough County, Florida. He was a graduate of Hillsborough High School Class of 1935 where he was a stellar athlete and record setting member of the swim team. Years later he went on to earn an Associate degree from Hillsborough Community College. He was a member of A.W. Windhorst Masonic Lodge. Riley prayed when he married that God would always give him the means to support and educate his family and He did. Riley never went a day without a job. Unable to enlist, he worked in the shipyard during WWII, then for the City of Tampa proudly mowing Spartan Field. When the opportunity presented itself, he went to work for TECO in the appliance repair division and was there until he retired in 1976. An avid hunter throughout his life, his later years were spent fishing, gardening, tending the grove, watching baseball, cheering on the Gators and reading. He had many stories about growing up on the Hillsborough River, gator hunting as a young man and fishing it with friends. He spent time in the Word daily and was a prayer warrior for those with a need. Riley accepted the Lord into his heart when he was 15 years old and attended both Hillsborough Methodist Church and Salem Primitive Baptist Church. He was a good friend, an example to others and a hero to his family. We will miss you, Papa. On January 2, 2012 at 9:30 a.m., a memorial service to be held at Salem Primitive Baptist Church, 14402 Salem Church Road, Dover, FL 33527. Arrangements under the direction of National Cremation Society, Clearwater, FL.