Lafayette Eugene Tucker

Lafayette Eugene Tucker, 87, beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away on January 7, 2005 in Austin, Texas, following a long illness. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Harbison Tucker, his parents, Fate and Roxie Tucker, and two sisters, Dora and Margaret. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Shirley and Richard Walden and Kathi and Gary Pinkston, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as follows: Richard, Jr. and Elizabeth Walden and sons, Christopher and Nicholas Espinosa; Don and Teresa Walden and sons, Ryan and Michael; Karen and Gary Jones and daughters, Meagan and Caroline; Lindsay Poor and son, David; Jennifer Walden; Brian Pinkston; and Jeff Pinkston. He is also survived by family members Dorothy Peterson, Chonita Jobe, Robert and Frances Hall, Roberta Brigham, Helen and Bill Boggs, Jim and Vicki Boggs, Tom and Ranee Jones and their respective families. Gene was born in Denton Community west of Marlow, Oklahoma, on September 6, 1917. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Chickasha, Oklahoma, where he was raised. During World War II, he was in the United States Army. After his discharge, he went into business in Chickasha where he would spend his life as a proud member of that community. He owned his own businesses including Burger in the Basket, Chicken in the Rough, and the Palace Drugstore. When H. E. Bailey Turnpike was completed, Host International made him manager of their Chickasha restaurant. He, subsequently, was advanced to head of operations for all their restaurants on that turnpike, as well as, the company’s restaurants on Will Rogers Turnpike, Indian Nation Turnpike and their restaurant in the Cowboy Hall of Fame. In later years, he managed the Best Western Restaurant and became a real estate agent. He was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church and served as an elder, deacon and trustee. He was a member of Rotary International and was a delegate to an international convention. In the local chapter, he was president and secretary, and, ultimately, named a Paul Harris Fellow, the highest humanitarian award in Rotary. Other public service included a tenure on the Oklahoma State Restaurant Board and board member and buyer for the Emergency Food Pantry. As a 32nd degree Mason, he was Worshipful Master of Chickasha Lodge #94 and was a member of the Shrine. For his family, Gene leaves a legacy of a life lived extraordinarily well. A formal viewing will be Wednesday, January 12, 2005 from 6:00 p.m. through 8:00 p.m. at McRay Funeral Home, Chickasha. A celebration of his life will be Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church followed by burial at Rose Hill Cemetery. Following the burial, the family will receive guests in Fellowship Hall of the church. For those wishing to give a memorial in lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts in his name to First Presbyterian Church, Chickasha, Oklahoma, 73018.