Thomas Robert Tucker Jr.

Our family is honored to share the news of a life well-lived. Thomas Tucker created a life whose whole is far greater than the sum of its parts, and his greatest achievements will forever be the positive influence and impact he made on each of us.

At heart, Tom was a builder. To most, Tom was a simple man, and in many ways, he was. Tom spent the majority of his life on the land on which he was born, where he learned how to “reckon” and tell you where “yonder” is. He grew up in a large family during the great depression, and was the son of Thomas Robert Tucker Jr and Martha Elizabeth Tucker, and brother to Roy, Arnold, Ivey, Irey, Claude, and Harold Tucker, and sister Gertrude Tucker Walsh. The values he learned on the family farm helped prepare him to be successful in a multitude of roles throughout his life.

Tom was an honest man, and we think that’s because he learned his lesson after he told a little fib about his age so he could join the Navy at 15 to fight in WWII under Admiral Halsey in the Pacific. During his service to country, he found his other life-long commitment when he met his wife, Lillian Casey Tucker (who preceded him in death) and together they created and built a family legacy that includes six children: Thomas Robert Tucker III (wife, Bonnie), Richard John Tucker Sr (wife, Gaye), Michael Lewis Tucker (who proceeded him in death; wife Trudy Hefner Tucker), James Evans Tucker (wife, Debbie), Mary Tucker Puett (husband, David), Lisa Tucker Rhoney (husband, Tony), Craig Wheeler (wife, Vickie), many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Tom’s love for Lillian was so strong that he honored his commitment to her after her passing for the remainder of his days.

Tom had several different jobs through the years to support his family, but he truly found his stride when he opened Tom Tuck Machine and established himself as a successful small businessman. Tom literally worked several of his fingers to the bone so he could offer employment to family members, provide a comfortable life for his bride, and teach many of life’s tough lessons to several “youngins” who needed some guidance and tough love. We also learned how strong Tom’s faith in God was, because he seemed to know every way to take the Lord’s name in vain, but he attended Christ Lutheran Church most Sundays, and we are pretty sure he asked for and received forgiveness, because his passing was peaceful and painless.

It is impossible to summarize the life of those that mean the most to us. Tom was a son, a brother, a nephew, a husband, a father, an in-law, a grandfather, a veteran, a businessman, a mentor, a friend, and many other things. He humbly accepted each role as his honor and duty because he never saw his actions as anything other than what you do for those you love. Tom meant a little something different to each of us, but he shared the same love from all of us.

It is rare that an individual can create their final moments to integrate the things that mattered most to them throughout their life, but before Tom left to join Lillian to honor his eternal commitment to her, he was surrounded by many of his family and loved ones for a Veteran Pinning Ceremony to receive a final salute for his military service and sacrifice for his country. Those of us that love Tom also salute him for his service and sacrifice for us. We are eternally grateful, and we will always love you.

Memorials may be made to Christ Lutheran Church, 324 2nd Ave SE, Hickory, NC 28602; or Carolina Caring, 3975 Robinson rd., Newton, NC 28658.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:30 until 2:30 p.m. at the church. Pastor Alec Fisher will officiate the service. Military honors will be rendered at his burial at a later date.