Charles William Tucker

Charles William Tucker of Largo, FL, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and son, passed away on Sept. 27, 2019 following a long illness. He was loyal to his family and friends and well-respected by those who worked with him or served with him in community and church activities. Charlie was born in Atlanta, GA in 1948 and lived with his family in Danville, IL and Madison Township, before moving to Lakeland, FL in 1965. He graduated from Lakeland High School and the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. He is survived by his wife Virginia (Peggy) Tucker (nee Ruckman). Their daughter, Carmel Johnson, and her three children, Caedmon, Celes, and Cait Johnson, reside in Raleigh, NC. Their son, Vallen Tucker, lives in Haines City, FL with his wife Laura and their daughter, Miranda. In addition, he is survived by his two sisters, Pat Pfeil (husband Brady) and Virginia Schlier (husband Dennis), and his sister-in-law, Sue Tucker, plus numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vallen Pierre and Mary Frank Tucker, and his brother, Matthew Tucker. A dutiful son, he was fittingly called home on his mother’s birthday. A man with a wide range of skills and entrepreneurial interests, he worked in IT for Eckerd Corp. for a number of years. He also was a long-haul truck driver for several years, traveling across most of the United States for U.S. Express. In later years, he created and built an eBay store that sold a variety of items ranging from cigar boxes to knives to dolls and artwork. Charlie loved his family, his country and his church. He served on the Homeowners Association Board for Pinebrook Estates, where he helped design the community park and later was treasurer of the HOA Board for his building at Golf Lake Condominiums. He was a long-time member of the Pinellas Park Budget Advisory Committee. He served as Worship Committee chairman and helped establish the Street Ministry for the homeless at First United Methodist Church in Pinellas Park. More recently he served on the Board of Trustees at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Largo. Charlie became interested in politics during the 2008 Presidential campaign. He eventually joined the Democratic Party and helped set up offices for numerous local, state and national campaigns. At the time of his passing, he was treasurer of the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Democratic Club and a member of the Pinellas Democratic Executive Committee. Although his illness prevented him from attending many games this season, Charlie was a baseball fan and had season tickets to Tampa Bay Rays games for many years. He particularly enjoyed their success this summer. He also loved visiting museums and was a season ticket holder for American Stage in St. Petersburg. Above all, Charles Tucker was a kind and compassionate man who believed in the dignity and equality of all persons and was not afraid to speak up for those beliefs. He was a person who at times could be larger-than-life, and he will be missed and remembered lovingly by his family and friends. His family would like to thank his doctors and the loving and caring staffs at Morton Plant Hospital, the Madonna Ptak Rehabilitation Center, Encompass Health, and Suncoast Hospice for their compassionate care.