Johnnie Lavada Tucker

Johnnie Lavada Tucker was born August 4, 1921 in Duncan, Oklahoma to Harmon E. and Birdie Newman McClellan. She was raised in Marlow, Oklahoma, graduating from Marlow High School. November 11, 1939 she married Carl Theodore Tucker. They were married fifty six at the time of his death in 1995. To this union was born three daughters, Carol Joyce Tucker Batt, Beverley Tucker Patten and Kathie Jean Tucker.

Johnnie and Carl moved many times in their married life as Carl worked for Gulf Oil as a seismographer and driller. They lived in Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. When Carl retired from Gulf Oil in 1958, they moved to Greeley after recalling the farms in the area, the pretty city and fine schools when they passed through. The smell of the green onion harvest stood out to them in particular. Carl was a farmer/gardner and he and Johnnie enjoyed the fruits of his labor, as did the girls, their friends and neighbors.

Johnnie went to cosmotology school in Greeley, graduated and worked at several shops in Greeley. She also worked at Weld County Hospital as a nurses aid, caring for and even styling hair for some patients. She enjoyed her grandchildren and in particular helped with Micah Lynn Tucker, taking her to school, dance lessons, gymnastics and styling her hair for school pictures. Johnnie loved all of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She enjoyed family cookouts, family birthday parties, camping out, fishing, watching movies and eating popcorn. Lawrence Welk was a favorite program to watch, as was Dancing with the Stars. Her feet would move with any good dance music she heard. When she was a teen-ager she enjoyed dancing, rollerskating and playing basketball. Johnnie also enjoyed her church family at West Greeley Baptist, enjoying visits from church friends when she became unable to get out. Johnnie enjoyed classes at Aims College when she retired from the hospital, going to Tops, participating in Senior Choir and going to Canada, the east coast and New York City with Carl before he became to ill to travel. She planted roses, poppies, hyacinths and tulips in her flower garden and dill, squash and chives in her vegetable garden. Her Kosher dill pickles were very tasty. She always encouraged everyone to go to school, get training and graduate, she was very proud of all who did so.

Johnnie is survived by daughters Beverley Tucker Patten, Kathie Jean Tucker, grandchildren Donnie D. Batt, Jeffrey Karl Batt, Deanna Lynn Batt and (Shon Reyes), John Alan Batt, Cheri Daun Grip, Ronald James Brown (Cheri), and Micah Lynn Tucker (G.W. Rush), fifteen great-grandchildren and seven and a half great-great grandchildren, one being due in November.

Johnnie was proceeded in death by her parents, husband Carl, sister Juanez McClellan Wyrick, daughter Carol Tucker Batt, son-in-law Donald Batt, sisters-in-laws, and brothers-in-laws.

Johnnie was cared for by Dr. Zenk and Dr. Vaardahl in later years, as well as the staff at North Colorado Medical Center, TCU, Fairacres Manor, RVNA Home Health, Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado, Inc., and Centennial Healthcare Center in Greeley. Her daughter Beverley cared for Johnnie in New Mexico and in Johnnies home in Greeley when her health required it. She was greatful to Kathie, Cheri, Carole Keckler (her daughter of a different mother), Micah and Suzie Garza for care as well. She always felt cared for and was greatful for the smiles, hugs and encouragement she received.

Donations or rememberances may be made to the family, charity of choice or Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado, 2726 W. 11th Street Road, Greeley, Colorado, 80634.

Visitation 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Stoddard Funeral Home. Funeral service 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Stoddard Funeral Home. Interment Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Please visit www.stoddardsunset.com to sign online guestbook.