John Edwin Tucker Jr.

On February 6, 2025, John Edwin Tucker, Jr left this earth for his permanent home in Heaven at 82 years of age. John was born on December 19, 1942, to Dorothy Haynes Tucker and John Edwin Tucker, Sr., in Birmingham, Alabama. Once two sisters joined the family, they relocated to Miami, Florida, where John would start coaching and learning all he could about sports at the young age of 14. In high school, John volunteered at Suniland Park, where he would later become the Director. Upon graduation from high school, he attended the University of Florida, where he was the football manager. In his junior year, he transferred to the University of Miami where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. After graduation from college, he worked for Miami Dade Recreation as Center Director at Cutler Ridge Park, Suniland Park and Tamiami Park.

John was called up by Uncle Sam and served in the United States Army during Vietnam. He was stationed in Korea where he served as Recreation Specialist for soldiers who came for respite from the front lines. While in the Army, John’s Aunt Peggy attended church in Houston, Texas, where she became friends with Darlene Thomison and through that friendship a young romance came to life through John and Darlene becoming pen pals. They were married in 1972 and shortly after marriage, John surrendered to the ministry and began his 40-year career as a servant to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned his Master of Religious Education degree and went on to serve in multiple churches along the southeast coast from 1976 until 2017. After marrying Darlene, they had a daughter, Kimberly, and a son, John David, who greatly enriched his life. During his years of ministry, John also had a passion for coaching soccer and basketball and was able to mentor many young people, both in sports and in Christ. One of the highlights of his coaching career was winning the 1988 Alabama State Championship with the 15 and under team in soccer.

John was preceded in death by his father, John E Tucker, Sr, his mother, Dorothy Haynes Tucker, and uncle and aunt, James and Peggy Bethea. John is survived by his wife of 52 years, Darlene Thomison Tucker, daughter, Kimberly Tucker McKenzie (Stewart), son, John David Tucker (Britten, Emerson and Kai), grandson, TJ McKenzie, sisters, Pam Niedermeyer (Alan) and Lynda Turner (Austin), Nephews-Scott, Aaron, Tony and Erik and a host of cousins, extended family and friends.

A formal Graveside Service will commence at 10:15 am on March 14 at DFW National Cemetery, located at 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211. A Celebration of Life will take place after the graveside at 11:30 am at Legacy Church of Christ, 8801 Mid-Cities Blvd in North Richland Hills, TX. Because the Celebration of Life will include food, please let the family know you will be attending by texting 817-320-7074.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in John’s name to the Calvary Christian Middle School Athletic Program. Donations can be mailed to 7556 Old Moon Road, Columbus, GA 31909, Attention: Jeff Halstead, Director of Business and Operations or online at www.calvaryknights.com.